Nadal blown away by Fognini in Monte Carlo semis

Tennis - ATP 1000 - Monte Carlo Masters - Monte-Carlo Country Club, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France - April 20, 2019 Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts during his semi final match against Italy's Fabio Fognini REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

MONTE CARLO (Reuters) - Rafa Nadal suffered a shock 6-4 6-2 semi-final defeat against flamboyant Italian Fabio Fognini at the Monte Carlo Masters on Saturday, showing rare signs of weakness five weeks before the French Open.

The 11-time champion's loss in tricky conditions ended a series of 25 consecutive sets won on his favourite clay as Fognini set up a final showdown against Serbian Dusan Lajovic.