In the end it was Moya who better adapted to the windy conditions in Miami, snapping Nadal's 22-match win streak over his fellow Spaniards, and cutting loose with increased aggressiveness after getting rolled in the first set.
"The fact that we know each other very well is better for the one who has a lower ranking," Moya told reporters. "In this case, it's me."
Nadal for his part was bothered by an ankle injury sustained last week at Indian Wells.
"For sure I didn't play 100 percent," Nadal told reporters. "But he played very good, too...My physical condition is not my best now, especially after I turned my ankle. I have some problems when I play big points, when I go strong to one side. But that's not a special excuse."
FOLDHERE
Other upset highlights Friday were France's
Florent Serra taking out No. 12 seed
Richard Gasquet, and Chile's
Nicolas Massu ousting No. 21
Tommy Robredo, and Augstin Calleri defeating No. 28
Gael Monfils.
Seeded winners on the day were (3)
David Nalbandian (d. Goldstein in three), (5)
Nikolay Davydenko (d. Fish), (6)
Ivan Ljubicic (d. Vik in three), (15)
Radek Stepanek (d. Malisse), (16)
Nicolas Kiefer (d. Santoro in three), (18)
Fernando Gonzalez (d. Wawrinka 7-6 in the third), (20)
Robby Ginepri (d. Carlsen), (22)
Mario Ancic (d. K.Kim in three), (25)
Marcos Baghdatis (d. (Q) Bogomolov Jr.), (26)
Tomas Berdych (d. Acasuso), and (30)
Filippo Volandri (d. (Q) Llodra from a set down).
No. 10 seed
Andre Agassi withdrew from Miami Friday with his ongoing back injury.
Marquee match-ups scheduled for Saturday play in Miami are (13)
Lleyton Hewitt vs.
Tim Henman, (1)
Roger Federer vs.
Arnaud Clement, (7)
Guillermo Coria vs.
Novak Djokovic, (4)
Andy Roddick vs. Al Martin, (9)
James Blake vs. the Donald-Bageler
Carlos Berlocq, (32)
Juan Ignacio Chela vs. "Grinning"
Greg Rusedski, "Rappin'"
Vincent Spadea vs. Fernando "Hot Sauce" Verdasco, and (23)
Jarkko Nieminen vs.
Mark Philippoussis.
