New Delhi: Roger Federer once again came off second-best to arch-rival Rafael Nadal when he was knocked out in the first round of the doubles at the Rome Masters on Monday.
Federer and his fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka were beaten by Nadal and his partner Carlos Moya 6-4, 7-6.
The defeat was Federer's third to Nadal in less than a month. He was recently beaten in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters and then again in an exhibition match on a half-clay, half-grass court in Mallorca.
Nadal and Federer had only met once previously in doubles at Indian Wells in 2004, when Nadal and Tommy Robredo knocked out Federer and Yves Allegro.
Meanwhile, in the singles event, Nicolas Almagro advanced to the second round of the Rome Masters by beating Tim Henman 7-5, 6-1 in the first round.
This was Henman's fourth opening-round loss this season. Almagro will now take on top seed Roger Federer in the second round.
Andy Murray joined Henman on the sidelines after his match was interrupted by rain. The delays did the Scot no good as he lost to Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-1, 1-6, 6-3.
Australia's former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt suffered a similar fate, going down after a delay to Spain's Oscar Hernandez 3-6, 7-6, 6-1. This was the Australian's first match since mid March.
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