Fernando Verdasco, Madrid native and crowd favorite, was defeated by Jurgen Melzer 7-5, 6-3 in the third round at Madrid Open.

"Obviously I didn’t feel very well or very comfortable at any point in the match; even when I was ahead in the first set," said Verdasco. "I think he deserved to win more than I did; he played better than I did. Playing in my own city and not playing well is really disappointing."

Verdasco, who is in great form and who reached his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final in Monte-Carlo, captured his fifth ATP World Tour title in Barcelona and advanced to the semi-finals in Rome, had treatment on what appeared to be an ankle problem at the end of the first set.

A frustrated Verdasco, who committed 41 unforced errors in this match, said his ankle was hurting after he injured it in the previous round against Ivo Karlovic, although he said the match conditions also bothered him.

"It's annoying, and the injury is in a difficult place," he said. "There are lots of tendons in this zone but two physios have told me it isn't serious. I think I'll be able to make it for Paris and to be 100 percent."

"I haven't played indoors for months and I've never had the opportunity to train here with the roof closed — I think it gave him the advantage," he said. "He's more of an indoor player than an outdoor player, which also went against me. The court also wasn't in the best condition, which made me miss certain shots that were very important."

Melzer will next play Nicolas Almagro who beat Juan Monaco 6-4, 6-1.

Fernando Verdasco falls to Jurgen Melzer at Madrid Open