The Piedmont-born Mackenzie McDonald beamed in pride after he eliminated reigning champion Rafael Nadal 6-4,6-4,7-5 in the the second round of Australian Open 2024. Nadal, on the other hand stumbled and hobbled as he send a lingering farewell to the onlookers and left with disappointment and pain. Also Read: Marta Kostyuk Ukrainian Tennis Player Refuses To Shake Hands With Russians At The Australian Open
Rafael Nadal had a scrappy start from the beginning, after a bare victory against Draper, the Spaniard opened with a service error. Meanwhile, Mackenzie who’s playing Nadal for the second time in his career strung with an excellent beginning. As Shakespeare goes “All That begins Well ends well” worked perfectly for the American World No. 65. He played it strikingly and clearly making it a point that he’s here to win. It was as if no one shall stand in his way.
Add an injury to the crumpled equation, Nadal could not find the rhythm to move forward with the game. The 35-year-old 22-time champion pulled up during the second set point, called in a medical timeout. He crammed up nice and came out to play minutes later. However, one could have spotted from a distance that he was clearly hurting a bit. Meanwhile, McKenzie carried with his immaculate form in the beginning. He played Nadal’s forehand serves with brilliant moves to win the game.
Rafael Nadal is bowing out on his earliest exit in a major since Verdasco defeated him in the first round of 2016 Australian Open. Fernando Verdasco then claimed the title of the lowest ranked individual to defeat the Spaniard. Seems like McDonald snatched it away from his Verdasco after today.
With the victory at Rod Laver Arena, American Mackenzie McDonald moves to the third round of the Australian open, a second-time third round appearance for the Bobby Ginespri-coached Californian. McKenzie will face 31st seed Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka in the upcoming round.
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