Rafael Nadal’s undesirable Major record
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Rafael Nadal competed at this year’s Australian Open as the top seed in the absence of Carlos Alcaraz. The defending champion had been struggling with injuries for over half a year ahead of Melbourne, heading to the season’s first Major unprepared.
However, Rafa gave his best and competed, passing the opening obstacle before losing in the second round. Thus, the Spaniard became the first top seed who failed to reach the third round at a Major since Lleyton Hewitt at Wimbledon 2003.
A qualifier Ivo Karlovic stunned Hewitt in the opening round at The All England Club, and Rafa followed Lleyton’s negative record two decades later. Nadal beat Jack Draper in the first round before falling to Mackenzie McDonald 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in the second.
Rafa suffered a left hip injury in the second set and fought until the end, although it was not to be for him. It was Nadal’s earliest Major exit in seven years, continuing his poor run and losing almost 2000 ATP points.
Rafael Nadal produced the worst result for a top seed at Majors since 2003.
McDonald tamed his strokes nicely and stayed focused against the rival who could not play his best. The American played brave tennis and built the lead in the quickest rallies up to four strokes. He broke Nadal five times and lost serve two times to control the pace and move into the third round.
The lower-ranked player made a flying start and broke Rafa in the opener’s games one and five, moving 4-1 up in under 20 minutes. Nadal reduced the deficit with a break in game six, and McDonald fended off a break point at 5-4 to bring the set home.
The second set saw back-to-back breaks in the early stage. Rafa squandered a game point at 3-3 and got broken following a forced error. The American landed an ace in the eighth game to confirm the advantage, and the Spaniard asked for a medical timeout on his left hip.
Rafa left the court and held in game nine…
Source : tennisworldusa
