Ailing Rafa Nadal still too hot for Feliciano Lopez in Rome

A resounding victory over compatriot Feliciano Lopez proved a welcome tonic for Rafa Nadal at the Rome Masters on Thursday after the Spaniard said he almost withdrew from the tournament with a fever.

The world number one reached the quarter-finals with a 6-4 6-2 defeat of the fellow left-hander having only decided to play shortly before walking on court for third round action.

"I had a fever last night and only decided at the last minute to go on court," Nadal, champion in Rome for five of the last six years, told reporters.

"I went to the doctor this morning and he told me to sleep a bit and see how I felt. That's what I did. I was a bit better and the game worked out better than yesterday."

On Wednesday he came within two games of a shock defeat by Italian qualifier Paolo Lorenzi, adding to concerns about the Mallorcan whose 37-match winning streak on clay was ended by Novak Djokovic in the final of the Madrid Open on Sunday.

Djokovic, who plays Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka later at the Foro Italico, can knock Nadal from the top of the rankings if he wins the title and Nadal falls before the semi-finals.

"I wasn't sure why I was without energy yesterday but I understand better today," the 24-year old, who now needs one more win to ensure that does not happen this week, said.                                                                                   

"I woke up very badly today but felt a bit better before the match. I thought it's better to be on court than in the hotel. I'm not great now but hopefully it will be okay tomorrow."

Nadal said he would take no chances with his health with the start of the French Open just over a week away, although he played down fears that he might not be fit to defend his title.

"Why wouldn't I be okay for Roland Garros?" he said. "In 2009 I wasn't okay. My knee was destroyed. I'm worried about tomorrow not in one week and a half's time.

"Usually I don't have these viruses but it's the second time this season," added Nadal, who will face Marin Cilic or Mardy Fish in the last eight. "You never know how long they can last.

"Sometimes it's gone in a day and sometimes it can be five days, in which case I'll see you in Roland Garros."

Despite his illness Nadal stamped his authority from the start against the rangy Lopez, winning the opening three ganes.

With his forehand finding the mark he looked on course for a trouble-free passage but his early fire fizzled out as the unseeded Lopez hit back to break and level at 4-4.                                            One snatched forehand was reminiscent of some of his scruffy play against Lorenzi the previous day when he came within two games of a shock defeat but he quickly regained control.

Nadal held serve for a 5-4 lead and Lopez buckled in the 10th game, missing a volley, netting an attempted drop shot and then watching as Nadal unleashed a fierce backhand crosscourt winner to take the set.

Nadal waited until the sixth game of the second set to launch a match-ending attack, firing another flashing backhand pass and then winning a 26-stroke rally with a savage forehand to break the Lopez serve and cruise to victory in the sunshine.

Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych, the man Nadal beat in last year's Wimbledon final, also reached the quarter-finals with a 6-2 6-4 victory over Jarko Nieminen.