Rafael Nadal is one of the greatest players of all time. The Spaniard has won 14 Grand Slam titles and is tied in second position with American legend Pete Sampras for the most number of Grand Slam wins. However, there have been instances where the man from Mallorca had to face defeats against less fancied opponents.We take a look at some of these upsets.
#6 Rafael Nadal vs Borna Coric
Rafael Nadal lost to teenager Borna Coric of Croatia in the Quarter-final of the Basel Open a few days ago. The 17-year old played some fine tennis to secure the upset win over the 14-time Grand Slam champion in straight sets 6-2, 7-6(4).
#5 Rafael Nadal vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Australian Open 2008, Semi-Final
Nadal squared up against un-seeded Frenchmen Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the first semi-final of the 2008 Australian Open. Tsonga had played some excellent tennis to reach this far, but most expected the Spaniard to make his way to the final. However, Nadal and the rest present in Melbourne and others watching around the world were in for a shock as Tsonga continued his brilliant form to knock Nadal out in straight sets , 6–2, 6–3, 6–2 in less than 2 hours.
#4 Rafael Nadal vs Nick Kyrgios, Wimbledon 2014, Round 4
Nadal suffered a third-shocking exit in the initial rounds of All-England Championships earlier this year when Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios knocked out the two-time Wimbledon winner in front of a packed Centre Court 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-3. The manner in which the 19-year old played left everyone amazed, including Nadal himself as Kyrgios won possibly the biggest match thus far, of his short career.
#3 Rafael Nadal vs Steve Darcis, Wimbledon 2013, First round
In a shocking result on Day 1 of the 2013 Wimbledon Championships, Nadal was defeated by an unknown Belgian and No. 135seed Steve Darcis in the first round. It was the Spaniards first game on grass since suffering the shock lossto Lucas Rosol in the second round, the previous year.Darcis beat the then fifth seed in straight sets7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (10-8) 6-4 to silence the crowd present at Court one that day.
#2 Rafael Nadal vs Lucas Rosol, Wimbledon 2012 Round 2
After beating Brazilian Thomas Belucci in straight sets, Rafael Nadal faced Czech Republican Lucas Rosol in the second round at Centre Court. The big serving Rosol, lost the first set but came storming back to win the next 2. With his backs to the wall, Nadal fought his way back to win the fourth set, hence taking the match into a fifth one. However, Rosol seemed to be playing the match-of-his-life that day, smashing aces with ease and leaving some at SW19 in raptures and others, stunned in silence. He eventually won the match 6–7(9–11), 6–4, 6–4, 2–6, 6–4, finishing off with another ace.
#1 Rafael Nadal vs Robin Soderling, French Open 2009, Round 4
Possibly the most shocking result in the history of Roland Garros, defending champion Rafael Nadal was knocked out in the fourth round in 2009 by 23rd seed Robin Soderling.The Swede overcame all odds to beat the Spaniard in an astonishing match to win 6–2, 6–7(2), 6–4, 7–6(2). Soderling went on to reach the final that year, where he was beaten by Swiss ace Roger Federer in straight sets 6–1, 7–6(1), 6–4. This is the only instance in the last 10 years where the clay court Grand Slam has had a winner, other than Nadal.
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