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Unlike a year ago, Rafael Nadal will not carry this year's Australian Open in his memory for too long. A 21-time Major champion experienced the second-round exit, becoming the lowest top-seeded player out of the draw since Gustavo Kuerten in 2001.
Rafa lost to Mackenzie McDonald 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in two hours and 32 minutes, dealing with a left hip injury since the second set closing stages. World no. 2 failed to bring his best tennis at Rod Laver Arena, struggling with his movement and spraying too many errors.
On the other hand, McDonald did everything right, playing well and overpowering the opponent in the closing stages of all three sets to emerge at the top and advance into the third round. Speaking about his injury, Rafa said he did not feel good for the last couple of days, although it was nothing like today.
He needs more checks to know more about his current state, and he felt devastated following another setback. McDonald fired 14 aces, tamed his strokes nicely and built the advantage in the shortest points up to four strokes.
He created eight break chances and seized five to control the scoreboard and send the defending champion packing. The American made a strong start and broke the Spaniard in the encounter's first game. Pushing strong, Mackenzie secured another break in game five to extend the advantage after swift 19 minutes.
Nadal argued with the chair umpire Marijana Veljovic during the break over his towels and pulled one break back in game six. Mackenzie saved a break point while serving for the set at 5-4 and forced Rafa's mistake for 6-4 in 46 minutes.
They traded breaks at the start of the second set, and McDonald produced three fine holds after that to keep the pressure on the other side. Nadal squandered a game point at 3-3 and missed a half-volley to drop serve and fall behind.
Rafael Nadal experienced a hip injury against Mackenzie McDonald.
The American landed an ace in the eighth game to confirm the advantage, and the Spaniard asked for a medical timeout on his left hip. Rafa left the court and held in game nine once he returned to prolong the set.
McDonald held at 30 in game ten after Nadal's tired forehand to wrap up the set and build a massive advantage after an hour and 49 minutes. Rafa continued and gave his best in the third set. He fired an ace on a break point at 4-4 and held for more drama.
Mackenzie leveled the score at 5-5 and placed a backhand down the line winner in the next for a decisive break. The American served for the victory in game 12 and fired a service winner to emerge at the top and celebrate a career-best triumph.
"It's my left hip. It has been like this for a couple of days, but nothing like today. I do not know if it is a muscle, joint or cartilage, but I have had a history with the hip. I did treatments on it recently, but it did not cause me troubles as today," Rafael Nadal said.