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Ferrer ousted by another Russian at Barcelona Open

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Second-seeded David Ferrer was ousted from the Barcelona Open by a Russian opponent for the second straight year, losing 6-4, 6-2 to Teymuraz Gabashvili on Wednesday.

The 55th-ranked Gabashvili rallied from 3-0 down before dominating Ferrer on his favored clay to reach the last 16.

Gabashvili kept Ferrer running to the corners, and the fifth-ranked Spaniard was surprisingly unable to keep up with shots he normally returns, looking fatigued at times.

Ferrer slapped a crosscourt forehand long for Gabashvili to clinch it after 1 hour, 21 minutes. Ferrer lost at this same stage last season to Dmitry Tursunov.

Top-ranked Rafael Nadal took to the court late Wednesday to open against fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos in second-round play.