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Wednesday, 20 January 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
REUTERS: 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.
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.
“I kept doing it so it went well.”
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.
REUTERS: Second seed Simona Halep was knocked out of the first round of the Australian Open by Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai on Tuesday, going down 6-4 6-3 to the inspired world number 133.
The 24-year-old Romanian, who came to Melbourne nursing an Achilles injury and suffering from a cold, left Margaret Court Arena in tears after the stunning upset.
Zhang was also reduced to tears after securing her first victory in a grand slam main singles draw at her 15th attempt, shrieking as she secured victory after 78 minutes.
“I’m so excited and happy,” Zhang said in a courtside interview.
“I want to thank my coach and parents and to everybody for supporting me. I think today is my best moment.”
Zhang, who will turn 27 on Thursday, will face France’s Alize Cornet in the second round at Melbourne Park.
REUTERS: Second seed Andy Murray advanced into the second round of the Australian Open after a comfortable 6-1 6-2 6-3 victory over Germany‘s Alexander Zverev on Tuesday.
The world number two took the first two sets in 71 minutes but found the tall 18-year-old more of a handful in the third when he saved two match points before the Briton completed the victory in a little more than two hours.
Zverev, playing in the main draw at Melbourne Park for the first time, suffered a nosebleed while serving at 30-15 in the second game of the match on a sun-baked Margaret Court Arena, and was forced to call the trainer to staunch the flow.
