text: Rafael Nadal's bid for a ninth Barcelona Open title ended in third-round defeat as Italian Fabio Fognini edged a hard-fought encounter 6-4, 7-6 (8-6) to move into the quarter-finals. Second-seed Nadal had easily seen off Nicolas Almagro in the previous round but found himself in trouble against Fognini, who had won in three sets in their previous meeting on the clay of Rio earlier this year. And on the same surface in front of Nadal's home crowd, it was Fognini who took the opening set 6-4 after a crucial break in the latter stages, though the second set was to prove an even tighter affair. Rafael Nadal was dumped out of the Barcelona Open after losing to Italian Fabio Fognini in the third round . In front of a home crowd, the world No 4 was looking for his ninth career title on the Catalan clay court . Fognini was able to save six break points in the opening game before conceding it to Nadal, though neither player really dominated even as the Spaniard went 4-2 up. After Fognini first fought back to 4-4, the set eventually went to a tie-break with Nadal this time having to work his way back from facing match point at 6-3 to level up. Nadal showed his resolve late on but it was Fognini who eventually won through 8-6, with his opponent missing a relatively routine forehand. It was Fognini's first win in his six Barcelona appearances but he will now face Pablo Andujar, who also caused an upset in coming through 6-3, 6-4 against fifth-seed Feliciano Lopez. Nadal, who was denied his 20th win of the season, cut an extremely disappointed figure after his defeat, going so far as terming it 'a disaster'. In quotes published on the Barcelona Open website, the world No 4 said: 'My game was mundane. I didn't have enough power, speed and control in my forehand. I didn't manage to push Fognini back. Fognini edged a hard-fought encounter 6-4, 7-6 (8-6) to move into the quarter-finals of the Barcelona Open . 'Fabio played better and he deserved to win. I did not deserve to win. That's why I will accept the upcoming challenges. I will work hard until I get back to my best. But it will be a while. 'It's a very sad day for me. This tournament means a lot to me, it's one of the best ATP 500 events on the tour and I feel at home.' Defending champion Kei Nishikori had little trouble going past Santiago Giraldo in straight sets, the 6-2, 6-1 win coming in just under 90 minutes. Nishikori, who had beaten Giraldo to win the crown last year, survived several break points to ensure a match-up against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain. Spaniard Nadal has just one title to his name since winning his 10th French Open in June last year . Fognini (pictued) goes on to face Pablo Andujar, who also caused an upset against fifth seed Feliciano Lopez . Argentina's Pablo Cuevas made a good fist of his third-round match against Bautista Agut, even stretching the first set to a tie-break, but the seventh seed eventually won 7-6, (7-5) 6-2. David Ferrer continued the home presence in the tournament as he fended off Swedish wildcard Elias Ymer 6-3, 6-4 to set up a clash with Philipp Kohlschreiber who beat Benoit Paire 6-4, 7-6 (8-6). Martin Klizan levelled up his head-to-head record at 1-1 against Victor Estrella Burgos after beating him 6-4, 6-3 to progress to the quarter-finals. He faces the winner of an all-home encounter involving Tommy Robredo and Marcel Granollers.
target: Rafael Nadal was bidding for a ninth Barcelona Open title this year .
  But the world No 4 lost to Italian Fabio Fognini 6-4, 7-6 (8-6) in third round .
  Nadal has won just one title since winning his 10th French Open last June .
  The Spaniard admitted it was a 'very sad day' following the defeat .