AFP

Shanghai, Nov 14 (mb): World number two Rafael Nadal was shocked in three marathon sets by fellow Spaniard David Ferrer on Tuesday in the second surprise result at the Masters Cup in as many days.   

With top-ranked Roger Federer beaten on Monday, Nadal let slip a one-set lead over his tenacious countryman who sealed it 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a gripping round-robin encounter that lasted two hours and 40 minutes.   

Ferrer, an outsider before the tournament, now has one foot in the semi-finals after his straight-sets defeat of Novak Djokovic. The third-seeded Serb was earlier eliminated after losing 6-4, 6-2 to Richard Gasquet.   

Nadal, who can still qualify for the semis, outlasted Ferrer in an absorbing first set which saw five breaks of serve in the first six games. Ferrer's netted forehand finally ended the tussle in Nadal's favour after 55 minutes.   

The hard-working Ferrer had been broken in his opening two games but made a better start to the second set, saving four break points in a close-fought fifth game.   

And it was Ferrer who went a break up, battering Nadal with a super-aggressive forehand before the Mallorcan struck back for 5-4 with a pair of unplayable backhands.   

However Ferrer conjured two set points on Nadal's serve and nailed the second as his under-pressure opponent flighted a forehand long.   

Ferrer was in the ascendancy and he converted his third break point, gifted by a double-fault, for 3-1 in the third with a punishing forehand winner.