Intro:

Second-seeded David Ferrer was ousted from the Barcelona Open by a Russian opponent for the second successive year and defending champion Rafael Nadal laboured to victory on Wednesday.

Script:

With Eleven clay court titles to his name, it is fair to say David Ferrer is used playing on the red stuff.

So, when the Spaniard met Teymuraz Gabashvili for a place in the last 16 of the Barcelona Open, he wouldn't have expected to go a set down.

It got worse for Ferrer as Gabashvili had an answer for everything the world number five threw at him on his way to a third career victory over a top ten opponent.

As one Spanish clay court specialist was eliminated, another progressed...but it wasn't easy for Rafa Nadal.

The eight time Barcelona Open champion overcame compatriot Albert Ramos in a first set tie-break before setting up a third round tie with Ivan Dodig.

When you are 6-0 4-0 down, many people would like to walk off the court and that is exactly what Fabio Fognini did against Santiago Giraldo after suffering a thigh injury.

Colombia's Giraldo will play Dominic Thiem in the third round.