After two hours and 24 minutes, Rafael Nadal fell 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(3) to Feliciano Lopez on Thursday in third round action at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. That was Feli’s fourth career win over Rafa, who still leads the series 9-4.

Match statistics: aces (5-14), double faults (4-4), winners (27-43), unforced errors (17-23), total points won (98-97).

Feliciano Lopez will face either Kevin Anderson or Roger Federer in the last eight.

After the match, Rafa said:

I played well today. I didn’t play a bad match at all. I think Feli played great. I was there during the whole match with the right intensity, with the right attitude, doing the things that I have to do, trying to be more aggressive, trying to go to the net more often. That’s what I did. But today I played against an opponent that he played a fantastic match, I think. He played the best match ever against me, without a doubt. I congratulate him. That’s it.

CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: A detail of Rafael Nadal of Spain’s shoes as he serves against Feliciano Lopez of Spain during Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal, of Spain, prepares to serve to Feliciano Lopez, of Spain, during a match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Feliciano Lopez of Spain on Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns to Feliciano Lopez, of Spain, during a match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on during his match against Feliciano Lopez of Spain on Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns to Feliciano Lopez, of Spain, during a match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns the ball to Feliciano Lopez, of Spain, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Feliciano Lopez of Spain during Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Feliciano Lopez of Spain during their match on Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal, of Spain, serves to Feliciano Lopez, of Spain, during a match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the first set against Feliciano Lopez of Spain during Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the first set against Feliciano Lopez of Spain during Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns to Feliciano Lopez, of Spain, during a match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after losing his match against Feliciano Lopez of Spain during Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain congratulates Feliciano Lopez of Spain following their match on Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain congratulates Feliciano Lopez of Spain following their match on Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal, of Spain, waves to the crowd after losing 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (3) to Feliciano Lopez, of Spain, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Source: cincinnati.com