Fernando Verdasco stunned Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open first round as the Spaniards played out another classic on Tuesday. In a rematch of their epic 2009 semi-final, Verdasco came out the victor with a remarkable 7-6 (8-6) 4-6 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 win on Rod Laver Arena.
Verdasco had lost 14 of his previous 16 meetings against Nadal, but turned that around in some style at Melbourne Park. The loss, which came in four hours and 41 minutes, marked the first time Nadal has ever been knocked out in the first round of the Australian Open.
Nadal looked in control when Verdasco coughed up a break serving for the fourth set. Verdasco steadied to take out the tie-break, only to see Nadal break in the opening game of the fifth.
However, Verdasco's response came in the fourth game with a mishit forehand crosscourt winner to break back. The momentum had well and truly swung and Verdasco broke again in the sixth game, a crunching forehand winner followed by a Nadal error as he took a 4-2 lead.
Verdasco completed his win in fitting style, blasting a forehand crosscourt winner past Nadal.
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Verdasco bt Nadal [5] 7-6 (8-6) 4-6 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-2
ACES
Verdasco - 20
Nadal - 7
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Verdasco - 90/91
Nadal - 37/38
BREAK POINTS WON
Verdasco - 5/15
Nadal - 6/16
FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE
Verdasco - 61
Nadal - 64
PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE
Verdasco - 72/45
Nadal - 69/50
TOTAL POINTS
Verdasco - 182
Nadal - 180
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