Madrid Masters champion David Nalbandian was knocked out in the opening round of the Swiss Indoors.
Madrid Masters champion slips out to Swiss number two
Madrid Masters champion David Nalbandian came crashing back down to earth with a bump as he was knocked out in the opening round of the Swiss Indoors.
After beating world number one Roger Federer in Spain on Sunday, the Argentine was sent packing by Stanislas Wawrinka.
The Swiss number two gained revenge for his compatriot's loss with a 6-3 6-4 success - his fourth in a row over Nalbandian.
"It was a win for Roger and for me," Wawrinka said. "I spoke to Roger after the Basel draw was made and he told me to win this one."
The world number 35 will next face Czech fifth seed Tomas Berdych, who put out Spain's Feliciano Lopez 7-6 3-6 6-3.
Masters race
Berdych's win keeps him in the running for one of the remaining places at the season-ending Masters Cup.
Only eight players qualify for the event in Shanghai, with five spots already taken by Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Nikolay Davydenko and Andy Roddick.
James Blake is also in contention, the American seeing of Spain's Oscar Hernandez in straight sets, 6-3 6-4.
The world number seven, who lost in the final in China last year, is taking it game-by-game as the battle for the final three spots hots up.
"I'm not thinking too much about the race," he said. "I notice it but I'm not worrying about what the other guys do.
"The Masters Cup is not a goal, but of course it would be an honour if I can make it there again. I just have to try and play my best in every match."
Sixth seed Guillermo Canas also progressed with a 6-4 6-3 triumph over fellow Argentine Jose Acasuso.
