Madrid, May 10: Rafael Nadal has lost to Spanish countryman Fernando Verdasco for the first time in the Madrid Open round of 16 on Thursday, blowing a 4-1 lead in the third set in losing 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.
After overcoming an offbeat first set on the event's unorthodox blue-clay court, Nadal evened the score and appeared set to move on to the quarterfinals. But Verdasco took charge to get his first win over Nadal in 14 tries.
“After losing so many times against honestly the best player on clay ever, to beat him on clay is the maximum,” said an emotional Verdasco. “I don't have words.”
Verdasco will play Tomas Berdych next after the Czech beat Gael Monfils 6-1, 6-1.
