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 The world number one also went out in the last eight of the Monte
Carlo Masters last week, losing to compatriot David Ferrer.
Top seed Nadal showed some form in the first set against Almagro and
then lost his way.
Both players broke serve in the opening two games. Almagro hit some
deadly backhands but also racked up 15 unforced errors in the set.
The second set was more even and it went to a tiebreak with Almagro,
who had never beaten his countryman in 10 previous attempts, coming
out on top.
The decider was scrappy and contained four consecutive breaks of
serve before the sixth seed clinched victory.
"I had a lot of chances in the second set when I had the match more
controlled but I didn't take them," Nadal told reporters.
"As the match went on I was less calm but I still had openings in
the third set at 3-1 and at 4-4 which I didn't take. This is tennis
and you just have to keep going."
The result is a big boost for Almagro who has had an injury-plagued
year. He now faces Santiago Giraldo or Philipp Kohlschreiber in the
semi-finals.
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Russian Teymuraz Gabashvili, who scored a shock win over world
number five Ferrer in the second round, came unstuck against Latvian
Ernests Gulbis who triumphed 6-1 6-4 to set up a meeting with
Japanese Kei Nishikori.
Fourth seed Nishikori, looking strong in his return from a groin
injury, defeated Croatian Marin Cilic 6-1 6-3.
(Editing by Tony Jimenez)
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