Novak Djokovic defeated Stanislas Wawrinka in the final, 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 to win the men's singles tennis title at the 2008 Italian Open. Rafael Nadal was the three-time defending champion, but lost in the second round to Juan Carlos Ferrero. Notably, this is the first (and to date only) instance that Nadal lost his opening match at a clay court tournament.