Barcelona - Rafael Nadal's stuttering season continued as he was stunned 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) by Italy's Fabio Fognini at the Barcelona Open on Thursday.
Nadal, an eight-time champion in Barcelona, had won four of the previous five meetings between the two, but also lost to Fognini on clay earlier this season in Rio de Janeiro.
However, despite saving three match points in the second set tie-break, a forehand error gifted Fognini a shock place in the quarter-finals where he will meet Pablo Andujar.
Defeat means Nadal has just one win against a top-10 ranked opponent in seven tournaments so far in 2015.
"My play was awful and I didn't deserve to win," said a despondent Nadal, who has now lost two of his last three matches on clay for the first time since 2003.
"Until I resolve the ups and downs I have had too often this season I will continue to be vulnerable.
"A week ago in Monte Carlo I had a lot of good moments. It was the best so far this year, but this is completely the opposite, it has been a very negative week."
AFP
