Spain’s Rafael Nadal was sent packing from the US Open after he lost his fourth-round encounter to France’s Lucas Pouille on Monday at the Flushing Meadows.
Nadal was stretched to five sets and eventually bowed out 6-1 2-6 6-4 3-6 7-6(6). The 22-year-old Pouille is playing in just his 11th major tournament. The Frenchman will now play compatriot Gael Monfils in the next round.
For the 30-year-old Nadal, this victory will come as a shock as he had had a brilliant first week in New York. He missed this year’s Wimbledon and pulled out of the French Open midway owing to a wrist injury. However, at the Rio Olympics, he did manage to win the gold in men’s doubles and lost his bronze medal match to Kei Nishikori of Japan.
