Rafael Nadal's miserable Grand Slam run continued as the Spaniard crashed out in the Australian Open first round with a five-set defeat to Fernando Verdasco.
The loss means Nadal has now failed to reach the second week of three consecutive major tournaments while he has not made the semi-finals since winning the French Open in 2014.
Here, Press Association Sport takes a look at the 14-time major champion's last three Grand Slam disappointments.
Wimbledon 2015: Loses to Dustin Brown in the second round, 7-5 3-6 6-4 6-4.
Nadal arrived at Wimbledon having surrendered his five-year hold on the French Open title and SW19 offered no respite as the dreadlocked German Brown, a former caravan traveller, clinched a famous win on Centre Court. It was Nadal's fourth consecutive Wimbledon defeat to an opponent ranked outside the top 100.
US Open 2015: Loses to Fabio Fognini in the third round, 3-6 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4.
Nadal had never lost a Grand Slam match from two sets in front but that record went up in smoke in a thrilling contest under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Spaniard led by a break and 3-1 in the third set but Fognini's booming forehand inspired a stunning comeback, ensuring his opponent ended the season without a major title for the first time in 10 years.
Australian Open 2016: Loses to Fernando Verdasco in the first round, 7-6 (8/6), 4-6 3-6 7-6 (7/4) 6-2.
Improving results encouraged belief that Nadal might get back to his best in 2016 but the year got off to the worst possible start, with a five-set defeat to Verdasco. Nadal led two sets to one and then 2-0 in the decider but he was unable to capitalise and Verdasco unleashed 90 winners en route to a booming victory. Afterwards Nadal said: "He played better than me. He played more aggressive than me. He took more risks than me, and he won. Probably he deserved it."
Source: PA
