Nadal slumps out of Madrid Open
Rafael Nadal's Madrid Open campaign came to an end in the last 16 as the five-time champion slumped to a straight-sets loss to Jiri Lehecka.
Nadal's farewell appearance at the tournament he has won five times came to an end with a 7-5 6-4 defeat on Wednesday.
The 22-time grand slam champion had been hoping to tee up a quarter-final against Daniil Medvedev.
Ultimately, though, world number 31 Lehecka was the man who progressed.
Lehecka ruined the hopes of the Nadal fans packed into the stands in the Spanish capital, and took control when he reeled off 10 straight points to take the opening set.
Nadal won the Madrid Open in 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2017, and said farewell to the crowd in an on-court interview following his defeat.
