Tennis: Wawrinka sends Nadal crashing out of Italian Open

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland during their men's quarter-final match at the Rome Open tennis tournament in Rome, Italy, May 15, 2015. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland during their men's quarter-final match at the Rome Open tennis tournament in Rome, Italy, May 15, 2015. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

ROME (AFP) - Swiss eighth seed Stan Wawrinka stunned seven-time champion Rafael Nadal of Spain 7-6 (9/7), 6-2 in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open on Friday.

Wawrinka, who had beaten Nadal only once in their previous 13 encounters, now advances to a semi-final match-up with compatriot Roger Federer.

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