Rafael Nadal stunned by Fernando Verdasco in Australian Open Round 1

New Delhi: Former world no.1 Rafael Nadal on Tuesday crashed out of the Australian Open at the hands of compatriot Fernando Verdasco.

The Spaniard's disastrous run continued in the new year, as he lost 7-6 (8-6), 4-6, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 to his fellow countryman.

Verdasco smashed 90 winners and 91 unforced errors during the five-set battle.

Here's a look at those remarkable stats... #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/z0pGtR9Udu

— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2016

“I just started hitting winners. I didn't know how. I was just closing the eyes and everything was coming in,” he said after beating the 14-time Grand Slam champion.

'To win against Rafa here in five sets after coming back from two sets down is an unbelievable feeling. I will just try to keep it up,” Verdasco further added.

This is the first time Nadal has failed to reach the second round in the year's first Grand Slam.