Nalbandian loses in time to watch Argentina

LONDON, June 30 (Reuters) Sympathetic Wimbledon organisers agreed to allow David Nalbandian to play his third-round match early today so he could watch Argentina take on Germany in the soccer World Cup.

The Argentine fourth seed promptly suffered a 7-6 7-6 6-2 upset at the hands of Spaniard Fernando Verdasco on distant court 13. Spain are already out of the tournament.

An obviously disappointed and somewhat monosyllabic Nalbandian told reporters he had played badly but that wanting to watch the World Cup quarter-final had not been the cause.

''I didn't play good,'' he said....''I missed a lot of chances.'' Referee Andrew Jarrett said it was not always possible to comply with players' scheduling demands. ''David made it known he would like to watch the football,'' he said ''In this instance we were able to accommodate (the request).'' The big screen in the grounds of the All England Club is making no concessions to the World Cup, however, and will be showing only tennis during the fortnight.

The men's final and the World Cup final are both being played on July 9.

Reuters HS RS2136