Nadal Masters Djokovic in Rome

Men's Final Postponed Until Monday

Heavy rain in the Italian capital forced Sunday's Rome Masters final between defending champion Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal to be postponed until Monday.

Rain had started falling during the women's final between Maria Sharapova and Li Na earlier in the day, causing that match to be delayed for over two hours.

"The conditions for play are not suitable. The final is postponed until Monday at 1500 (1300GMT)," said tournament director Sergio Palmieri.

Sharapova Wins Rainy Rome Final

Serena Retires from Rome Open

Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Italian Open to avoid aggravating a back injury ahead of the French Open. 

The 13-time grand slam winner was due to meet China's Li Na in the semi-finals but pulled out complaining of small twinges.

“I've been playing a lot and my body is getting used to a lot of matches again”Serena Williams

But Williams insisted she would be fine for Roland Garros starting on 28 May.

"I'm fine, I'll be 100% for the French," she said. "I've been feeling a little pain this week and I have a huge schedule coming up."

Williams, who reached the semi-finals after quarter-final opponent Flavia Pennetta withdrew after four games with a wrist injury, has complained of back trouble since winning clay titles in Charleston and Madrid.

"I would have hoped to have played until the end of that match but it would have depended on my back," she added.

"I've been playing a lot and my body is getting used to a lot of matches again.

"My form is good heading to Paris. I want to be ready for the next couple of months."

China's eighth seed Li will face German Angelique Kerber or defending champion Maria Sharapova for the Italian Open title.

Murray Blows Gasquet in Rome

British number one Andy Murray lost from a set up against Richard Gasquet in the third round of the Italian Open in Rome.

The 25-year-old Scot claimed the first set on a tie-break but Gasquet battled his way back into the match to triumph 6-7 (1/7) 6-3 6-2.

Gasquet goes on to face David Ferrer in the quarter-finals, while Murray's next outing on clay will be at the French Open next week.

Murray was pushed all the way by David Nalbandian before winning his second-round encounter 6-1 4-6 7-5 but looked set for an easier time of it after making a promising start.

He won the opening three points of the match on Gasquet's serve with a delicate drop shot, a powerful cross-court forehand and thumping two-handed backhand down the line.

However, he failed to convert any of those three break points as Gasquet battled back, and that was to be a story that summed up the opening set for the Briton.

Murray spurned 10 successive break points before finally making the most of his 11th during a lengthy seventh game that allowed the Scot to take a 4-3 lead.

Murray then saved Gasquet's first break point in the next game to go 5-3 ahead and then created a set point in the next.

Gasquet saved again though to get back to 5-4, and he broke back in the following game to tie it up at 5-5.

The set went to a tie-break which Murray won comfortably, but Gasquet came racing back, taking the first two games of the second set en route to winning it 6-3.

The decider went with serve until the sixth game, when Murray took a major gamble by advancing to the net on the Gasquet backhand and the move backfired as he could only deflect a return into the net to give the Frenchman a break at 4-2.

Gasquet was looking sharp and held to move 5-2 ahead and claimed a second break on his first and only match point, Murray thumping a tired-looking forehand into the net to bring the contest to a close.