Sports

Nadal crashes out of Australian Open

Fernando Verdasco beats the former world number one in a five-set thriller

Reuetrs January 19, 2016

PHOTO: AFP

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Fernando Verdasco sent shockwaves through the Australian Open on Tuesday by defeating Rafa Nadal 7-6(6) 4-6 3-6 7-6(4) 6-2 to send the former world number one crashing out in the tournament's opening round.

The first-round exit was 2009 champion Nadal's first at Melbourne Park and only his second at a grand slam.

Down 2-0 in the final set, Verdasco dragged himself off the canvas with a barrage of booming forehand winners, breaking Nadal twice to storm to a 5-2 lead.

Djokovic, Nadal to meet for 47th time in Qatar Open final

He broke his compatriot a third time, sealing the match with a cross-court winner that left the Rod Laver Arena crowd stunned late in the day session.

"I just hit everything. I think I played unbelievable in the fifth set from the break," Verdasco said in a courtside interview. "I just started hitting winners. I don't know how. I was closing the eyes and everything when I was coming in.

Australian Open: Djokovic, Serena declared top seeds

"I kept doing it so it went well." Said Verdasco after shaking hands with his opponent and the chair umpire Nadal strode quickly off the court, barely pausing to acknowledge the crowd with a wave.

COMMENTS (1)

Zeeshan | 8 years ago | Reply Not a surprise anymore. He has been losing miserably to unseeded players for last couple of seasons now. Verdasco is far better player than those new comers who have been thrashing Nadal in previous grand slams. Its about time that he should gracefully say goodbye to tennis. He should understand, with his limited abilities he has achieved more than expected, his style of play was based on compromised longevity.

Replying to X