Rafael Nadal after Australian Open exit: “It was not my day”

The 14-time major champion led by two sets to one and then 2-0 in the decider in Rod Laver Arena, but fellow Spaniard Verdasco clinched the last six games to win an epic battle 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2.

Verdasco upset the world No. 5 after four hours and 41 minutes, 7-6(6), 4-6, 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2.

Rafael Nadal, left, of Spain congratulates compatriot Fernando Verdasco after their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday.

Verdasco went for everything on his ground strokes, ripping 90 winners against only 37 for Nadal as he worked to the extremes to unsettle his former top-ranked rival. “I think I played unbelievable in the fifth set from the break”, Verdasco said in a courtside interview.

“The fourth set, I think I started serving better than the second and third”, said Verdasco. “You play against a player that has a good potential and he’s able to hit the ball so hard and take risk, then you are under pressure the rest of the match”.

Nadal suffered a major blow as he was knocked out in the opening round of the Australian Open at the hands of Fernando Verdasco 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 2-6.

Verdasco lost his first 13 matches to Nadal, including another five-set classic in the 2009 semi-final here which last for over five hours.

“I’m more excited than nervous now”, Murray said of the pending arrival.

Nadal, who prior to this match held a mammoth 15-2 head-to-head against his Davis Cup teammate, was expected to win, although not easily – but now sees his run at the Australian Open brought to a halt.

“The real thing is I was not aggressive enough with my forehand during the whole match”.

Andy Murray, a four-time finalist who is seeking his first title in Melbourne, dispatched Germany’s Alexander Zverev 6-1 6-2 6-3 in hot conditions to move into the second round.

Daniel Brands was the only German to make it out of the first round, defeating Victor Estrella Burgos 6-4, 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-1. You know, because I don’t believe the players are allowed to be sponsored by betting companies, but the tournaments are.

After world number one Novak Djokovic said he was once offered $200,000 to throw a match, Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis said he had been approached on Facebook.

Before the tournament, Nadal had spoken of bringing “happy feelings” to Melbourne Park, after arriving his healthiest in years following a taxing off-season training camp. “Was not my day, but let’s keep going, that the only thing I can do”.

The 25-year-old, who beat Frenchman Lucas Pouille in straight sets, says grinding his teeth causes “stress and headaches”, adding: “I guess maybe it’s just a way to calm myself down”. Ferrer is the eighth seed in the tournament while Hewitt is ranked 308.

In his 29 matches between the Monte Carlo Masters in April and the end of last season, the left-hander won the first set just five times.