Rafa Nadal: Edged out in a second set tie-breaker
Rafa Nadal’s preparations for the French Open suffered a setback after he was defeated by Fabio Fognini at the Barcelona Open.
The Spaniard is hoping to defend his title in Paris next month, but his erratic form continued on his favourite clay courts as he suffered a 6-4 7-6 defeat to Fognini.
Watch these great points between Fabio Fognini and Rafa Nadal in the second set of their third round match in the Barcelona Open.
Nadal desperately tried to avoid elimination, saving three match points in the decisive tie-breaker before a misplaced forehand sent the Italian into the quarter-finals.
In their previous meeting in February, Fognini had inflicted a defeat on the world No 4 in Rio de Janeiro and he continued where he left off, claiming a break on the way to a one-set lead
After falling behind, Nadal appeared to have snatched command of the match as he broke his opponent three times in the second set.
But Fognini answered each time and held his nerve to secure a meeting with unseeded Pablo Andujar in the last eight.
"Unless you play at your highest level against Rafa for the whole match you are not going to get the better of him," he said.
"Beating a player who is the greatest in history on this surface is worth double.
"I knew I had my chances today and I just tried to keep to my game plan and give it my all."
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