Verdasco knocks out Nalbandian

LONDON, June 30 (Reuters) Argentine fourth seed David Nalbandian tumbled out of Wimbledon in the third round today, outhit 7-6 7-6 6-2 by Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.

In a hard-hitting baseline battle 30th-ranked Verdasco claimed the first two sets 11-9 in each tiebreak.

The 24-year-old Nalbandian, who has been troubled by a stomach muscle injury, looked spent in the third.

He suffered two breaks of serve and saved three match points before the 22-year-old Verdasco triumphed with a forehand down the line to reach the fourth round here for the first time.

Nalbandian had a good record at Wimbledon as he was runner-up to Lleyton Hewitt in 2002 and had previously never lost before the fourth round.

He also reached the semi-finals of the Australian and French Opens this year, withdrawing in the French against Roger Federer because of the injury.

Reuters DH VV2033