By Erik Gudris | Friday, October 3, 2014

 

Despite holding a break lead in the final set, Rafael Nadal finds himself exiting the China Open in Beijing at the hands of Martin Klizan.

Photo Credit: AP

Slovakia's Martin Klizan proved once again he is one of the ATP's most dangerous players as he fought back multiple times to defeat Rafael Nadal in the China Open quarterfinals.

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Nadal, making his return to tennis after a three-month layoff at the event, looked poised to perhaps reach the semifinals. That was after Nadal won a hard-fought first set in a tense tiebreak.

Kilizan, who earlier in the week almost lost in qualifying after being down 4-6, 1-5, didn't let losing that set dent his own hopes. Coming back from a break down in the second set, Klizan won it to force a decider.

Both men traded service breaks midway through the final set. Yet it was Klizan who took charge down the stretch.
Taking hold of another break for 5-3, Klizan would eventually close out the impressive comeback win 6-7(7), 6-4, 6-3.

With the victory, Klizan earned his third career top 10 win. His first two came against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2012 and earlier this year at Roland Garros against Kei Nishikori.

This was the first time in 10 years that Nadal lost to a qualifier. His last such defeat was by Julien Benneteau in Lyon back in 2004.

Klizan will now face Tomas Berdych in the semifinals.