Rafael Nadal, the Spanish legend, has been knocked out in the second round of the Australian Open, losing in straight sets to McDonald Mackenzie of the USA, with a score of 7-5, 6-4, 6-4.
Nadal started to show plenty of discomfort late in the second set after stretching for a shot, matching the control in the American match.
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The Spaniard called for a medical time-out, seeking treatment for his hip, hoping that he could return to the court soon.
Nadal has now gone off court for a medical timeout. From the assessment, it looks like the issue is in the top of his left leg/hip area. pic.twitter.com/NOp5RxJ5rW
The victor was finished, since they were aware that the triumphant group, clearly distraught in the enclosure, was persevering bravely in the third set, the double Australian Open winner.
Nadal’s injury in the second set proved to be too much, asking for a miraculous fightback to produce a break and already being one set down.
Team Rafa has seen better days via @QuentinMoynet https://t.co/47W9kFlXKt
Losing to Fernando Verdasco, the 36-year-old hadn’t exited a Grand Slam event in the second round or earlier since Australian Open 2016.
However, Nadal did come back to finish the match, persevering through a third and final set in visibly tremendous agony.
From the very beginning of the game, McDonald exhibited exceptional performance, dismantling the current champion and showcasing his unwavering resolve from the start.
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The American ranked 65th secured another break and resisted Nadal’s effort to regain dominance over the initial set.
McDonald was then able to secure the victory in the first six matches within a span of 46 minutes.
In the first game, the 27-year-old broke the 22-time Grand Slam winner, exactly the same as the first, the second set began.
After just an hour, McDonald found himself leading in the first set of the match, with a score of 6-4 and a strangle hold on the real putting.
American heroes, leading 2-0, looked to set the stage by having the third player in touch a pedal with his opposite foot.
Nadal contemplated shortening the duration of the rallies and targeting his triumphant shots in an effort to reclaim his standing in the competition.
McDonald confessed after the game that he attempted to prevent himself from becoming too comfortable considering his opponent’s injury.
“Yes, I’m genuinely delighted with how I started that game. I believed I was doing a good job, returning superbly, and serving marvelously,” McDonald expressed.
I discovered a way to pull it out. It was mentally challenging to stay engaged. I hate that he is set in the third position.
“Closing even against a top guy like that is always challenging. He never gives up regardless of the situation. He’s an amazing champion.”
I was trying to stay focused on what I was doing. He was the kind of person who got me out of the rhythm. Except for focusing on myself in the end, I am happy with that.
McDonald will now compete against the victor of Yoshihito Nishioka and Dalibor Svrcina in the third round.