Players Under the Microscope / Editor / 10 May 2007 /

Rafael Nadal admitted he felt 'dizzy' before stretching his winning streak on clay to 73 games with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Italian wildcard Daniele Bracciali.

The Spanish 'King of clay' went 3-0 up on his way to another straight sets win, which took an hour and a half to wrap up, and next faces Mikhail Youzhny, who has already beaten him once this year.

But Nadal, seeking a third straight title in Rome, later revealed he struggled to find his rhythm in the opening set when his opponent broke back - because he felt a little off colour.

"I felt a bit dizzy, and it was difficult for the first eight games, but after that it was fine," said Nadal.
"The doctor said it wasn't anything. I think it's OK."

Youzhny took care of Olivier Rochus in straight sets 7-6, 6-3 to set up a tantalising third round clash with Nadal on Thursday evening.

The Russian defeated Nadal indoors in Dubai earlier this year and also knocked him out of the US Open quarter-finals last September.

The Spaniard said: "He (Youzhny) is one of the more difficult players for me. I must focus on me, play my best tennis."
Nadal is the favourite to progress to the last eight at 1.07 to avenge his previous losses to the Russian, with Youzhny 13.5 to clinch a win, according to Betfair's Third Round Match Odds market.
The world number two remains 1.62 favourite to win the final in Rome on Sunday and heads rival Roger Federer (3.5) in Betfair's Internazionali BNL D Italia - Winner's market.

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