Nadal gets revenge on Madrid slayer Zverev

ROME: Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal dispatched his Madrid Masters slayer Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4 to reach the Italian Open semi-finals on Friday.

Second seed Nadal lost to Zverev in the Madrid last-eight last week but ended his three-match losing streak against the

German in the Foro Italico. “It was an important victory for me against a great player,” said the Spaniard. Nadal next plays bigserving American Reilly Opelka for a place in the

final for an 11th time.

Barty retires

World No.1 Ashleigh Barty retired injured in the Italian Open quarterfinals on Friday. The top seed was leading 6-4, 2-1 when she retired against Coco Gauff.