Rafael Nadal went down in frustration as the second seed lost his first match of the season on clay, with Spanish compatriot Fernando Verdasco triumphing 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 on Thursday in the third round of the Madrid Masters.
Nadal said he was never in control of the match and intimated he will not show up next year unless the controversial blue clay surface he abhors is modified.
No problems for top seed Novak Djokovic who beat Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka 7-6 6-4 and Roger Federer, who rolled over Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-2.
In women's play, Serena Williams staged a recovery at the expense of Caroline Wozniacki as the American reached the quarterfinals 1-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Serena now playes second seed Maria Sharapova in the last eight.
