Italian Open 2018: Thursday Rome Masters Tennis Scores, Results, Latest Schedule

Top seed Rafael Nadal is safely into the quarter-finals of the 2018 Italian Open after a straight-sets win over 19-year-old Denis Shapovalov on Thursday, as is Novak Djokovic after he beat Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

However, there was disappointment for Juan Martin del Potro, who was forced to retire in his last-16 game against David Goffin due to injury.

Kyle Edmund's run at the tournament was also ended as he was beaten by second seed Alexander Zverev.

There was also a retirement in the women's draw, as Madison Keys withdrew ahead of her clash with top seed Simona Halep because of a rib injury.

Thursday also saw Venus Williams beaten by Anett Kontaveit, while Jelena Ostapenko edged Johanna Konta in straight sets.

Here's a look at Thursday's results and schedule for the rest of the day.

Thursday's Men's Results

(4) Marin Cilic def. Benoit Paire 6-3, 6-4

(9) David Goffin def. (5) Juan del Potro 6-2, 4-5 (Del Potro retired)

Fabio Fognini def. Peter Gojowczyk 6-4, 6-4

(1) Rafael Nadal def. Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-1

(10) Pablo Carreno Busta def. Aljaz Bedene 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2

(2) Alexander Zverev def. Kyle Edmund 7-5, 7-6 (11)

Kei Nishikori def. Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-1, 6-2

(11) Novak Djokovic def. Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-1, 7-5

Thursday's Women's Results

Anett Kontaveit def. (8) Venus Williams 6-2, 7-6 (3)

(11) Angelique Kerber def. Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-1

(1) Simona Halep vs. (13) Madison Keys (Keys retired)

Elina Svitolina def. Daria Kasatkina 0-6, 6-3, 6-2

(5) Jelena Ostapenko def. Johanna Konta 2-6, 6-3, 6-4

Maria Sharapova def. Daria Gavrilova 6-3, 6-4

(7) Caroline Garcia def. (9) Sloane Stephens 6-1, 7-6 (7)

(15) Anastasija Sevastova vs. (2) Caroline Wozniacki

Thursday Recap

Nadal made light work of his teenage opponent as he took the first set with just one break. However, the Canadian made little impression on the Nadal serve, as shown by journalist Jose Morgado:

The second set was even more one-sided, as Shapovalov gifted Nadal an early break to love with a double fault. Nadal then demonstrated his ruthlessness by racing to victory and taking the second set 6-1.

The Spaniard looks in great shape on the clay after his defeat to Dominic Thiem in Madrid, and the veteran will face Italian Fognini for a place in the semi-finals.

Djokovic was comfortable in the first set against Ramos-Vinolas, surrendering just one game to the Spaniard.

Despite a closer second set, the Djoker saw it out to set up a quarter-final with Kei Nishikori. As Morgado noted, victory or defeat in that match will have a significant impact on his run in the French Open:

There will be concern over Del Potro's fitness after his tournament was prematurely ended by injury. 

The Argentinian lost the first set 6-2 to fifth seed David Goffin but responded well in the second despite being clearly physically hampered.

He saved four break points at the start of the set before breaking the Belgian to move 4-2 up. Del Potro served for the set at 5-3 but could not clinch it and opted to stop rather than risk further injury with the score at 5-4.

Tennis writer Carole Bouchard said he looked in pain throughout the match:

Del Potro has endured an injury-interrupted career, and there will be genuine fears now over his fitness for the French Open, which starts on Monday.

Edmund also departed the tournament after being comfortably beaten by Zverev. The first set was hard-fought but Zverev made what looked like the crucial break to move 5-4 up.

However, Edmund hit straight back and became the first player to break the German's serve for some time, as shown by Tennis TV:

Zverev broke early in the second set to move 2-1 up, but Edmund hit back to level it up at 4-4 with a stunning passing shot down the line.

Edmund was on top by this stage but Zverev hung on to force the tie-break. The German was on top throughout a rollercoaster end to the match and eventually clinched it by converting his eighth match point.