Italian Open 2019: Wednesday's Play Canceled; Federer, Nadal in Action Thursday

The fifth day of the 2019 Italian Open was a wash out as heavy rain forced play to be cancelled on Wednesday.

Roger Federer was set to feature in the afternoon against Joao Sousa but the inclement conditions meant the pair could not take to the court.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal also saw their matches postponed, with action expected to resume on Thursday.

Selected Men's Singles To Play On Thursday

(3) Roger Federer vs. Joao Sousa

(2) Rafael Nadal vs. Jeremy Chardy

(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Denis Shapovalov

(5) Dominic Thiem vs. Fernando Verdasco

Selected Women's Singles To Play On Thursday

(1) Naomi Osaka vs. Dominika Cibulkova

(3) Simona Halep vs. Marketa Vondrousova

(2) Petra Kvitova vs. Yulia Putintseva

(7) Sloane Stephens vs. Johanna Konta                                                 

Full competition results can be found at the tournament's official website, while the latest schedule can be found here.

Fans were expecting to see three icons of men's tennis feature in Rome before the heavens opened.

Organisiers attempted to keep proceedings in order, with Djokovic's mouthwatering match against Shapovalov only cancelled late in the day, but the weather was persistent and relentless.

Shapovalov has continued to climb the rankings and the 20-year-old is expected to provide an ample test for the world No. 1.

Naomi Osaka will also be back in action as she continues to put the disappointment of the Madrid Open behind her.

The Japanese superstar was dumped out of the tournament in straight sets by Kiki Bertens, who went on to win the competition.

Osaka will want to hold onto her No. 1 world ranking, but Simona Halep is breathing down her neck as she attempts to dethrone the 21-year-old.