World number two Rafael Nadal said his performance in the semi-final defeat to Fabio Fognini at the Monte-Carlo Master was not good enough.
The 11-times champion was thrown out of the tournament by Fognini in a 6-4 6-2 defeat within one hour and 36 minutes.
The multiple grand slam winner, however, admits he played his worse game in fourteen years on clay.
“I probably played one of the worst matches on clay in 14 years.
“When that happens, you have to lose. And today I deserved to lose because I played against a player who was better than me today.”
From trailing 3-1 in the first set, world No 18 Fognini won 11 of the next 14 games to claim a career-best victory and his fourth victory in 15 career meetings with the Spaniard.
“If you told me at the beginning of the week I will see you on Sunday, I would have laughed in your face,” said Fognini.
“Sometimes I won a few matches [against him] – one crazy one at the US Open and two times on clay.
“So I knew I had nothing to lose, because of course, especially when you’re with him on clay, it’s always really tough.”
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