adminRussian 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.
Seeded second for the first time ever behind Ferrer, he needed six match points to see off persistent Argentine Berlocq, whom he had beaten on Brazilian clay two months ago.
The match was played in a swirling wind which bothered the Spaniard. “It was not very comfortable and it affected my game,” said Nadal,” who next plays Frenchman Benoit Paire, who beat Pablo Andujar 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.
“I don’t want to talk about being a tltle favourite, I’m just very happy to be playing well and into the third round.”I’m not looking ahead.
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.
Tursunov moved into a third-round encounter with Brazilian 16th seed Thomaz Bellucci. — AFP.
Online Reporter