Defending champion Rafael Nadal crashed out of the Australian open at  the  second round today  after aggravating a hip problem during his 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 defeat to  the  American  Mackenzie Mcdonald the Spaniard’s latest entry in an injury-blighted history at Melbourne Park.

Nadal’s elimination shakes up the men’s draw and puts a twist in the grand slam titles race, with nine-times champion Novak Djokovic able to draw level with the Spaniard’s 22 major championships should he come  out  on  top  at  the  tournament  for  a  10th  time.

Nadal appeared to suffer a strain in his left hip area while running for a backhand deep in the second set at Rod Laver Arena and after receiving attention from a trainer he took an off-court medical time-out when trailing 6-4, 5-3.

He returned grim faced to play out the match but his movement was clearly affected, particularly on his backhand side, paving the way for Mcdonald to end the Spaniard’s bid for a third title at Melbourne Park.

Meanwhile  another American  French  open  runner  up  Coco Gauff battled past British  number  one  Emma Raducanu 6-3, 7-6  in  the  battle  of  the  prodigies.