Madrid Masters 2012: Verdasco Shocks Nadal

Fernando Verdasco defeated the King of Clay Rafael Nadal at the Mutua Madrid Open 6-3 3-6 7-5 in the 3rd round, the earliest defeat for the 10-time major champion in a clay court tournament since 2002. It was Verdasco's first win against his Spanish compatriot in 14 tries, and Nadal's first loss in clay in 23 matches played since his loss in the final of the Rome Masters against World #1 Novak Djokovic last year.

Nadal was very unhappy with the experimental blue clay the Madrid tournament is being played on this year and vowed to not return if it is not changed.

With his nemesis' early round exit, World #3 Roger Federer has an opportunity to reach the #2 position again if he somehow manages to win the tournament. Federer beat Richard Gasquet to reach the quarterfinals, where he will face David Ferrer. Also in the quarterfinals are Verdasco, Aleksandr Dologopolv, Juan Martin del Potro, Tomas Berdych and either Djokovic or Stanislas Wawrinka and  Gilles Simon or Janko Tipsarevic.