ROME - RAFAEL Nadal's bid to win a record fourth consecutive Rome Masters title next week was boosted on Saturday when he drew an easier path to the final than world number one Roger Federer.

If results go to seedings, Spain's world number two Nadal will meet eighth seed James Blake in the quarter-finals and then face number four Nikolay Davydenko in the semis.

Federer, in contrast, is lined up to face world number five David Ferrer in the last eight and a possible semi-final showdown against Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic or Argentina's David Nalbandian.

Nadal's side of the draw also features Britain's Andy Murray and France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who stunned the Spaniard in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

Nadal and Federer both have byes into the second round.

After a difficult start to 2008, Nadal has predictably regained his form on clay.

The triple French Open champion beat Federer to become the first player in the Open era to win four consecutive Monte Carlo Masters last month and he cruised into the final of the Barcelona Open on Saturday.

He is now aiming to become the first person to win the Italian Open four times as he prepares for Roland Garros, which begins on May 25.

Federer, a finalist here in 2003 and 2006, is looking for his first title in Rome and ending Nadal's undefeated run in Italy would be the ideal way for him to warm up for Roland Garros.

The Paris major is the only grand slam title the Swiss has never won. He was beaten by Nadal in 2006 and 2007 finals.

Federer, who like Nadal made a poor start to the season, is working with new coach Jose Higueras to improve his claycourt game. He won his first tournament of the year at the claycourt event in Estoril last month. - REUTERS