Rome  - The early exit of Rafael Nadal hangs like a fog around the grounds of the Rome Masters.

Even minus the clay-court king who has crushed most opposition for the last three seasons, the Spaniard's major rivals can still muster a tiny bit of sympathy after the second-round shock result which sent the favourite crashing from the event.

"You just have the feeling the draw has opened up tremendously," said top seed Roger Federer, beaten by Nadal in the 2006 final, a five-set classic.

"It's an opportunity for everyone, because you favor Rafa against all of (the other) guys in that section of the draw.

The Swiss, who stands 1-7 against the Spaniard on clay, added: "It's tough for Rafa, I feel for him. He was on such a great streak for the last three years, but I'm sure he'll bounce back either at Hamburg or Paris anyway."

Nadal lost in the second round to compatriot and former number one Juan Carlos Ferrero, with Nadal suffering with blistering on his right foot.

Federer said that with the high level of ATP tennis, no result is assured.

"It was a bit of a surprise, but he didn't have an easy draw in the first round."

Andy Roddick has moved to within one win of duplicating his best Foro Italico showing of the semi-finals and is glad not to have Nadal hanging around as a huge threat.

Priorities for the American are clear: "I more prefer to see my name still up there, which isn't always the case here.

"You can only play who's across from you. Obviously, the last person anybody wants to play on clay is Nadal."

Third-seeded Serb Novak Djokovic, 0-3 versus the Spaniard on clay including two Roland Garros losses, was equally surprised at the Nadal defeat.

"It's pretty strange that he's out in the second round. But, of course, he's normal, as we all are.

"To lose, it's all part of sport."

Nadal has vowed to continue his clay quest prior to making a run at a fourth straight French Open title by playing in Hamburg next week. He has lost just twice in his last 105 clay matches dating to 2005. (dpa)