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Rafael Nadal was ousted by Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 in the third round in Miami.
Rafa has never won The Miami Open title.
Verdasco advanced to the fourth round. A two-time quarterfinalist here, he had lost his past three matches at the Miami Open prior to this year’s run.
Nadal, who twisted his ankle at practice Tuesday, had an easy time with countryman, Nicolas Almagro, in his opening match, winning 6-4, 6-2 while saving all three break points he faced.
He saved one match point against Verdasco on Sunday. But on Verdasco’s second opportunity, Nadal’s service return went into the net.
“It’s a huge victory, and it's always really nice to feel it in a packed stadium… in a very important tournament like this one and playing against one of the best players in history,” said Verdasco. “At the end, you just try to enjoy the moment.
“Today was a good day. I played good and I won… I'm very happy, and now I just need to try to rest and be ready for the next one.”
Verdasco hit 29 winners and saved nine of 12 break points faced, benefiting from 32 unforced errors from Nadal.
“He played well the third, so he deserved to win more than me without any doubt tonight,” said Nadal. “Today, my game in general improved since a month and a half [ago]. But at the same time, [I’m] still playing with too many nerves in a lot of moments, in important moments.
“I was anxious on court… I wanted to be there. I tried in every point, but I was not able to relax myself, calm myself.”
Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America
