A struggling and edgy Rafa Nadal crashed out of the Miami Open in the third round on Monday, losing 6-4 2-6 6-3 to fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.
Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts during his men's singles match against Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych. Photo: AFP
The 31-year-old Verdasco, who is ranked 34th in the world, has now won his last two matches against world number three Nadal, after the 14-time grand slam winner had won their previous 13 meetings.
"It is a huge victory and it is always nice to win in a packed stadium in a big tournament and against one of the best players in history," said Verdasco.
Nadal has never won in Miami, with his 11 attempts his longest streak of attempts at a tournament without a victory and he said he was concerned that he was nervous when playing.
"I am playing with too much nerves for a lot of moments, in important moments, playing a little bit of anxious in those moments," he said.
"I have been able to control my emotions during, let's say, 90-95 percent of the matches in my career, today it was tougher to be under self control.
In another upset, seventh seed Stan Wawrinka lost 7-6(4) 7-6(5) to 28th-seed and Auckland finalist Adrian Mannarino of France.
