Defending champion Rafael Nadal swept past fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco yesterday to set up a revenge clash against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Italian Open semi-finals, admitting the young Greek has long been his tip to make the big time in 2019.

The eight-time Rome champion came through 6-4, 6-0 against Verdasco and next meets Tsitsipas, 20, who shocked him at the Madrid Open semi-final last week. The Greek advanced after Roger Federer - returning to the Rome clay for the first time since 2016 - retired with a right leg injury before their match. Nadal, 32, seeded second, advanced to his fourth straight semi-final, but has not managed to go further on clay this season, ahead of his bid for a 12th French Open title at Roland Garros, starting on May 26.