ATP Cup: Rafa shocked in Spain v Belgium Quarter-final

Rafael Nadal’s tune up for the Australian Open has begun with a rare occurrence: defeat. The gun Spaniard was rocked by Belgium’s David Goffin in what was only his second loss since Wimbledon.

Rafael Nadal suffered a shock loss at the hands of David Goffin. Picture: AP

David Goffin has achieved what only one other tennis player has managed in the past six months — a victory over Rafael Nadal.

The fleet-footed Goffin scored the biggest upset of the ATP Cup with his 6-4 7-6 (7-3) win over the world No.1 on Friday night as Belgium levelled the quarter-final tie with Spain at 1-1.

Nadal had enjoyed an incredible run after Wimbledon last year, going 26-1 in matches with one walkover through injury.

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Rafael Nadal suffered a shock loss at the hands of David Goffin. Picture: AP

That golden period included a US Open win, Davis Cup title and Masters Series Trophy in Montreal.

But the form book went out the arena in Sydney as the world No.11 dragged his team back into the contest with the win.

The pair traded breaks in the first set before Goffin stole the advantage in the ninth game, ripping a backhand winner down the line and forcing Nadal into error off his forehand for a 5-4 lead.

He then served out the set, the first Nadal had given away during the tournament.

Goffin broke in the opening game of the second and despite handing it back late in the set clinched the match with a nerveless tie-break.

A pumped up Goffin played up to the crowd. Picture: AFP

The world No.11 said he had to up his aggression to give himself a chance.

“Rafa had to take the ball a little bit early and had to take some more risks,” he said.

“On the court I tried to dictate all the time and he had to try and find a solution because he finds a solution most of the time and so I had to stick to my line and continue to move forward and that’s what I did.”

Familiarity with the Ken Rosewall Arena and its newly minted roof might have been a factor for Goffin, who played in Sydney all week while Nadal was based in Perth.

Several players including Russia’s Daniil Medvedev have mentioned how differently the arena has played compared to Perth, while Australian Alex de Minaur, who had been in Brisbane, clean missed a regulation smash during his singles quarter-final.

A disappointed Nadal congratulates his opponent. Picture: AAP

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But, with Nadal slated to team up with world No.27 singles player Pablo Carreno Busta, a three-time winner in doubles on the tour, the Spaniards will still be strongly favoured to take the tie against the unheralded pairing of Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen.

Earlier, Roberto Bautista Agut put Spain on the board with a 6-1 6-4 win over Kimmer Coppejans.

The Belgians sprang a surprise by pitching the No.158 into the match against the world No.10, opting to rest Steve Darcis who’d won two of his three singles matches.

The winners will play Australia on Saturday night.

—AAP

Originally published as ATP Cup: Rafa shocked in Spain v Belgium Quarter-final