Verdasco ousts Nadal from Madrid

In perhaps the biggest set back at ATP Madrid and Nadal's recent career is his defeat at the hands of fellow countryman Verdasco Thursday today at Madrid.

Verdasco [R] outclassed world no 2 Nadal [L] and ousted him from Madrid Thursday

Fernando Verdasco in a thrilling third-round match at the Madrid Masters ousted World No 2 Nadal from Madrid when he beat Rafa 6-3 3-6 7-5 to the utter surprise and bewilderment of Nadal, who had been having a clean record of wins for the last 23 matches on clay recently.

Nadal had beaten Verdasco, the 15th seed at his home town Masters event, in all 13 of their previous meetings but an error-strewn performance ended his bid for a third straight clay title this season and deprived him of a chance to avenge his defeat to Novak Djokovic in last year's final.