Australian Open—Melbourne, Australia
Defending champion Rafael Nadal was ousted in the second round of the Australian Open on Wednesday, losing to American Mackenzie McDonald, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5.
Visibly hampered by what was later known to be a hip injury, Nadal was seen hobbling to the finishing line during the later stages of the two hours and 32 minute contest.
Winning the title last year, Nadal will now drop to at least No. 6 in the world when the latest rankings are released. Next scheduled to play in Dubai next month, the Spaniard’s future is currently unknown.
The 22-time Major winner will turn 37 later this Spring.
Elsewhere, No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas, No. 6 Felix Auger-Aliassime, No. 7 Daniil Medvedev, No. 15 Jannik Sinner, No. 16 Frances Tiafoe, No. 18 Karen Khachanov and No. 20 Denis Shapovalov all advanced to the third round.
The only other men’s seed to lose on the day was No. 32 Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. He was sent packing by Tallon Griekspoor.
In women’s action, No. 1 seed Iga Swiatek continued to roll at the event, dispatching
Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-3. She will next face Cristina Bucsa, who defeated former US Open winner Bianca Andresscu 2-6, 7-6(9), 6-4.
Elsewhere, No. 3 Jessica Pegula, No. 6 Maria Sakkari, No. 7 Coco Gauff, No. 10 Madison Keys, and No. 17 seed Jelena Ostapenko all advanced to the third round.
Women’s seeds that were ousted on the day included: No. 8 Daria Kasatkina and No. 15 Petra Kvitova.
Thursday’s action at the Australian Open will feature nine-time former winner Novak Djokovic, Ons Jabuer, Andy Murray, and Caroline Garcia.
Second-Round Results:
Mackenzie McDonald Defeats (1) Rafael Nadal 64 64 75
(3) Stefanos Tsitsipas Defeats Rinky Hijikata 63 60 62
(6) Felix Auger-Aliassime Defeats Alex Molcan 36 36 63 62 62
(7) Daniil Medvedev Defeats John Millman 75 62 62
(15) Jannik Sinner Defeats Tomas Martin Etcheverry 63 62 62
(16) Frances Tiafoe Defeats Juncheng Shang 64 64 61
(18) Karen Khachanov Defeats Jason Kubler 64 57 64 62
(20) Denis Shapovalov Defeats Taro Daniel 63 76(3) 75
(28) Francisco Cerundolo Defeats Corentin Moutet 36 64 62 75
(29) Sebastian Korda Defeats Yosuke Watanuki 62 75 64
(31) Yoshihito Nishioka Defeats Dalibor Svrcina 63 64 62
Tallon Griekspoor Defeats (32) Botic van de Zandschulp 64 64 64
Marton Fucsovics Defeats Lloyd Harris 62 63 57 64
Jiri Lehecka Defeats Christopher Eubanks 64 64 36 63
First Round Results:
Enzo Couacaud Defeats Hugo Dellien 64 75 60
Denis Kudla Defeats Roman Safiullin 36 75 76(6) 63
