Top-seed Ferrer out, Nadal sees off Berlocq

Rafael Nadal restored the balance of clay power at the Barcelona Open on Wednesday with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Carlos Berlocq after top-seeded compatriot David Ferrer was eliminated by Dmitry Tursunov. Nadal, seeded second for the first time ever behind Ferrer, still needed six match points to see off persistent Argentine Berlocq, whom he had beaten on Brazilian clay two months ago.

Earlier, Russian qualifier Tursunov stunned Ferrer 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 in a major second-round upset.

Nadal may have still been feeling the effects of his Monte Carlo final loss at the weekend to Novak Djokovic, a defeat which denied him an historic ninth consecutive title in the principality.

Nadal owns bragging rights in Barcelona after winning seven titles in eight editions and posting a 36-1 lifetime record at the Catalan venue.

His defeat of Berlocg was his 35th win in a row here since losing to current Davis Cup captain Alex Corretja in the 2003 second round.

He now stands 22-2 on the clay this season in which he only returned to tennis in February after seven months out with knee injuries.

Ferrer could offer little explanation on his loss as he played for the first time since a thigh injury in the Miami final against Andy Murray nearly a month ago. "I couldn't seem to hurt him with my shots. it was a strange match mentally and physically," said the bewildered 31-year-old, known as the iron man of the game for his never-say-die retrieving.

AFP