Rafael Nadal out of Australian Open, loses in straight sets in second round

Defending champion Rafa Nadal bowed out of the Australian Open second round on Wednesday after sustaining an injury during his 6-4 6-4 7-5 defeat to American Mackenzie McDonald.

The 22-times Grand Slam champion appeared to suffer a strain in his left hip area while running for a backhand in the second set at Rod Laver Arena and after attention from a trainer, took an off-court medical time-out when trailing 6-4 5-3 at Rod Laver Arena.

Grim-faced, he returned 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.