Defending champion Rafa Nadal bowed out of the second round of the Australian Open on Wednesday after suffering an injury during his 6-4 6-4 7-5 defeat by American Mackenzie McDonald.
Nadal’s elimination shakes up the men’s draw and puts a twist in the Grand Slam titles race, with nine-times champion Novak Djokovic able to draw level with the Spaniard’s 22 major championships should he take a 10th crown at Melbourne Park.
Before the injury McDonald had played superbly to take the first set, going toe-to-toe with the 36-year-old Spaniard and winning most of the ferocious baseline exchanges. “It’s tough to hit through on clay but I liked my chances on hard, I really wanted to take it to him on hard court. I’m really glad I got my chance and got away with it,”said McDonald.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Australian Open: Nadal defeats Draper, reaches round twoDefending champion Rafael Nadal admitted he had been far from perfect after grinding down a man 15 years his junior to kickstart his bid for a 23rd Grand Slam title Monday.
Read more »
Australian Open: Nadal, Swiatek Survive Early Tests, Kyrgios Pulls OutDefending champion Rafael Nadal shrugged off a rocky build-up to reach the Australian Open second round with a four-set win over ailing Jack Draper on Monday
Read more »
BREAKING: Australian Open: Nadal dumped outNadal is out of the 2023 Australian Open after losing in the second round to an unseeded American
Read more »
Murray wins Berrettini in Australian Open roundAndy Murray rolled back the years to defeat 13th seed Matteo Berrettini in a five-set epic at the Australian Open on Tuesday, on a sweltering day that saw play suspended for three hours on most courts.
Read more »
Australian Open: Murray defeats Berrettini in five sets, breezes into second roundMurray is into the second round at the 2023 Australian Open tournament for a second consecutive year
Read more »
Extreme heat halts Australian Open for hoursThe second round of the ongoing Australian Open in Melbourne was on Tuesday halted for three hours on all outside courts, as temperatures rose to 35C.
Read more »