Rafa on course

Rafael Nadal produced an "almost perfect" display as he booked a place in the quarterfinals of the Italian Open with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over John Isner on Thursday.

The fourth seed, who has struggled to find his best form this season in the wake of the wrist injury and appendicitis issues that undermined him last year, was imperious against the big-serving American.

He did not face a single break point and won 90 percent of his first-service points.

The Spaniard, who fell to seventh in the rankings after Sunday's final defeat to Andy Murray in Madrid, looked to be back on the path to discovering his best claycourt form.

Andy Murray and Serena Williams pulled out ahead of their third-round matches.

Murray said he was tired, while Williams claimed she was suffering with an elbow injury.

Earlier Roger Federer defeated Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas for the second time this month as the Swiss legend began his campaign with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 win.