Rome, May 15 (IANS): Heavy rains postponed Wednesday's Italian Open in which Swiss tennis pro Roger Federer and Spanish star Rafael Nadal were to make their debut.

The Foro Italico courts have been covered and the tournament organizers will give an update every half hour to inform the press and spectators when play will resume, reports Efe news.

Federer was going to open the programme at center court against Portuguese Joao Sousa but heavy rains, which are expected to continue until night, delayed the match.

Also, the matches of Spanish Garbine Muguruza against Danielle Collins of the US and Spanish Carla Suarez against French Alize Cornet were postponed.

The eight-time Rome champion Nadal is set to take on Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in the second round at the center court.

On Tuesday, rain interrupted the match between defending champion Elina Svitolina of Ukraine and the Belarusian Victoria Azarenka several times.

After play was suspended for more than an hour, Azarenka eliminated her opponent to win 4-6, 6-1, 7-5.