Verdasco Upsets Nadal at the Madrid Open

Fernando Verdasco has scored a massive upset at the Madrid Open

The 28-year-old tennis star—currently ranked No. 19 in the world—defeated his fellow countryman and the world’s No. 2 player Rafael Nadal, considered the King of Clay, 6-3, 3-6. 7-5.

Fernando Verdasco

After overcoming a first-set loss on the Open’s controversial blue-clay court, Nadal evened the score and appeared set to move on to the quarterfinals. But Verdasco took charge of the match to notch his first win over Nadal in 14 tries and handing his Davis Cup teammate his first defeat on clay in 23 matches.

“After losing so many times against honestly the best player on clay ever, to beat him on clay is the maximum,” an emotional Verdasco said after his exhausting match. “I don’t have words.”

Fernando Verdasco

Nadal—who notched his seventh consecutive title at the Barcelona Open last weekend—didn’t hide his dislike of the new blue clay at the Madrid Open this week, calling it soft and slippery.

Verdasco moves on to next play Tomas Berdych after the Czech beat Gael Monfils 6-1, 6-1.

Leave a Reply