Fabio Fognini: 'Beating Rafael Nadal on clay is worth double'

Fabio Fognini has insisted that he 'gave his all' to beat Rafael Nadal in the third round of the Barcelona Open today.

The Italian knocked out the 'king of clay' with a 6-4 7-6(6) victory.

Nadal, who has struggled with injury problems over the past year, was vying for his ninth title in the tournament until he was beaten on his favoured surface.

"Unless you play at your highest level against Rafa for the whole match you are not going to get the better of him," Fognini told Spanish television.

"Beating a player who is the greatest in history on this surface is worth double. I knew I had my chances today and I just tried to keep to my game plan and give it my all."

Fognini will play Pablo Andujar in the quarter-finals.