World No. 2 Rafa Nadal dropped a set at the Barcelona Open for the first time in four years before advancing to the last 16, beating Argentine Leonardo Mayer 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-2 Wednesday. The Spaniard surrendered a 5-3 lead in the first set and then spurned two set points in the tiebreak, which Mayer, ranked No. 63 in the world, edged thanks to an impressive crosscourt forehand winner. Nadal, who has won the Barcelona Open a record 11 times, had not lost a set in the tournament since a round of 16 game against Fabio Fognini in 2015, winning 30 sets in a row until he met Mayer. Nadal was in danger of losing two consecutive matches on clay for the first time in his career following defeat in the Monte Carlo Masters semifinal to Fognini, but he bounced back immediately by breaking his opponent in the second-set opener. Nadal, who was playing on a court named after him, broke the Argentine twice more in the decider to set up an all-Spanish third round tie with David Ferrer. Ferrer beat Frenchman Lucas Pouille 6-3, 6-1. Argentine Guido Pella beat No. 6 seed Karen Khachanov in straight sets. Lucky loser Roberto Carballes Baena beat compatriot Nicola Kuhn in three sets after Fognini withdrew from the tournament following injury concerns after practising earlier in the day.<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up forfor news on the biggest players and tournaments Nadal dropped his first set in Barcelona since 2015 when he lost the opening-set tiebreak to Mayer. For a brief moment it looked like the world No 2 could crash out early of a second clay tournament in as many weeks. But the Spaniard was able to find some decent form to wrap up the victory in three sets. However, Nadal felt he was not able to compete to his usual high standards which is very worrying considering one of his biggest assets is his work-rate.<doc-sep>Barcelona Open: Nadal suffers wrist injury during training FREE for news on the biggest players and tournaments SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up forfor news on the biggest players and tournaments When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Nadal is scheduled to play fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in the third round of the Barcelona Open this afternoon. The 11-time Barcelona Open dropped the first set to Leonardo Mayer in his second round match on Wednesday but managed to come through in three sets. However, after the match, Nadal was far from happy with how he competed. "It wasn't the best start. Not the best feelings out there this afternoon, but I found a way to keep going and to win the match," Nadal said. "[Mayer] competes well against everybody but probably today [the problem] was not that he competed very well against me. “I was not competing that well." Nadal didn’t appear to struggle with an injury against Mayer but in practice this morning, the 32-year-old was in visible discomfort in footage captured by television broadcaster RTVE. The clip shows Nadal hitting two consecutive forehands before shaking his head after striking a third shot low down. Rafael Nadal suffered discomfort in his wrist during practice Rafael Nadal received treatment from his physio Rafael Nadal was able to continue practicing Nadal then shook his hand a few times and walked towards his physio Rafael Maymo who massaged his wrist. After a short time having his wrist worked on, Nadal walked back to the baseline and continued hitting forehands. Nadal did experience hand issues when competing at the Acapulco Open in February. But the pain felt by Nadal will give him and his fans fresh concern after a difficult year with injuries. Rafael Nadal says he is ready to defend Barcelona title<doc-sep>Barcelona Open order of play TODAY: Rafael Nadal and Tsitsipas are in action When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up forfor news on the biggest players and tournaments Day Four of the Barcelona Open will see Rafael Nadal get back down to work after he came from behind to beat Leonardo Mayer on Wednesday. Nadal takes on David Ferrer in an all-Spanish clash making it an exciting prospect for local supporters. The World No 2 is keen to bounce back from a disappointing exit at the Monte Carlo Masters last weekend. Felix Auger-Aliassime will look to build on his impressive Miami Open when he tests himself against Kei Nishikori in the first match of the day. Indian Wells champion Dominic Thiem and Stefanos Tsitsipas are also keen to send out statements in match ups with Jaume Munar and Jan-Lennard Struff respectively.<doc-sep>
Monte Carlo Masters: Rafael Nadal discusses semi-final loss Nadal was expected to dominate the clay season as he has for the past decade. But the world No 2 crashed out of the Monte Carlo Masters semi-finals to no 13 seed Fabio Fognini last week. Supporters initially put that display down to a blip, after all Nadal had just returned from injury. However, during the 32-year-old’s opening match at the Barcelona Open this afternoon, he dropped the first set to Leonardo Mayer. The pair fought to a tiebreak before the Argentine became the first man to take a set off Nadal in Catalonia since 2015. And fans were concerned that their hero was about to fall to another shock defeat. One fan wrote on Twitter: “Rafa what is wrong . What is happening?” While another added: “What is going on? Nadal is not finding his form. I'm concerned.” Rafael Nadal fans are concerned with the Spaniard's form Rafael Nadal dropped the first set against Leonard Mayer at the Barcelona Open And a further user wrote: “Looks like Nadal has some serious issues with his game. Can he turn this match around! Another fan commented: “Someone needs to step down on court and remind @RafaelNadal who he is and he has dirt under his feet. Thats all. Order will be restored.” Nadal went on to claim the second set 6-4 to take the match to a decider. But that did not stop some injury concerns creeping in. It was the first time Rafael Nadal has dropped a set in Barcelona since 2015 Monte Carlo Masters: Fognini meets fans after semi-final win