Aus Open 2016: Venus Williams crashes out in Rd 1

World number five Rafael Nadal was sent crashing out of the Australian Open first round by fellow Spanish left-hander Fernando Verdasco in an epic five-set match on Tuesday.

“To win against Rafa here coming from two sets down is unbelievable”, the 32-year-old, No. 45-ranked Verdasco said.

It is only the second time that Nadal, 29, has lost in the first round of a Grand Slam.

Azarenka next plays Japan’s Naomi Osaka, who has reached the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time with a win over the 18th seed, Elina Svitolina.

Williams, 35, was defeated in the first round by Johanna Konta of Britain.

The Scotsman has won all of his 17 matches against Australians in tour-level singles matches (although Nick Kyrgios beat Murray at the Hopman Cup team event).

Madison Keys of the United States makes a forehand return to Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016.

In a courtside interview, he said: “I just started hitting winners”. “It’s tough, but at the same time, I know I did everything that I can to be ready for it. Was not my day”.

Speaking thereafter the lost, Nadal, who had beaten Verdasco 14 times in 16 meetings said: “Everybody now tries to hit all the balls”.

In his pomp, Nadal’s forehand was the most destructive shot in the game but he was outpowered by Verdasco, who hit an incredible 90 winners to his opponent’s 37.

“I tried to change … but she beat me – she was just better today”. “Because I don’t believe the players are allowed to be sponsored by betting companies but then the tournaments are”. No players were identified.

Murray said the sport was sending mixed messages by allowing betting company William Hill to become one of the Australian Open’s sponsor’s this year and advertise on the tournament’s three main show courts.

The two-time Australian Open champion hasn’t given up more than three games in any of the 14 sets she has played this year, including her run to the title at the Brisbane International two weeks ago.

Andy Murray, the men’s second seed, and 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka both impressed as the on-court action took centre stage after the allegations of matchfixing in the sport overshadowed Monday’s programme.

Muguruza will next play Barbora Strycova, who beat American Vania King 7-6 (5), 6-4. Sela will next face Russian Andrey Kuznetsov for a place in the fourth round.