Nadal had won the title in Rome the last three years, but after losing Wednesday to 2003 French Open winner Ferrero, he blamed a foot injury and the ATP Tour tournament scheduling for the loss. Before yesterday Nadal had amassed a 103-1 clay court record since 2005. Nadal has been scheduled to play four claycourt tournaments in four weeks before taking time off before this month's French Open tournament.

"I didn't feel good on court," Nadal said. "I couldn't put my legs on the floor with power so every time I played short because I didn't have power in my legs. The calendar is impossible. Last week in Barcelona I said it was going to be impossible for me to play well four weeks in a row. I'll try to have some rest at home and go to Hamburg with my best feelings."

The 21 year old Nadal received medical treatment on his foot near the end of the match.

Like Nadal, Henin had taken her current tournament's title several times, winning in Berlin in 2003 and 2005, but today was not able to continue her championship form. Henin has now lost three of her last seven matches.

"Not only for the French, I really wanted to use this tournament to get my confidence back," Henin said. "But it was not enough today. Now we'll see the next few weeks."

Safina had never previously won a set from Henin, but today displayed aggressive, pinpoint groundstrokes for the win.

"Going into the match, I had a feeling today I could win, She hasn't played well since the Australian Open," Safina said.