
Rafael Nadal was knocked out in the first round of the Australian Open for the first time in his career after losing 7-6 (8-6) 4-6 3-6 7-6 (4-7) 6-2 to Fernando Verdasco.

The victory was only the third in 17 encounters that Verdasco has managed over his fellow Spaniard Nadal. His reward is a second-round clash against Dudi Sela of Israel.

Nadal, who was dumped out of Wimbledon in the second round last year and the third round at the U.S. Open, has not triumphed in a grand slam since 2014's French Open.

It was also a day to forget for second seed Simona Halep as she was knocked out of the first round by China's Zhang Shuai.

Zhang, who won out 6-4 6-3, was reduced to tears after winning her first ever match at a grand slam at the 15th attempt.

Second seed Andy Murray made light work of his first-round tie against Germany's Alexander Zverev, securing a 6-1 6-2 6-3 win.

The Brit saw off Zverev earlier in the month at the Hopman Cup and will now face Australian Sam Grot in the second round.

There was another surprise result in the women's draw on day two as Venus Williams was knocked out by Johanna Konta, with the world No. 47 winning 6-4 6-2.

Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka, the 2014 Australian Open winner, advanced to the next round after his opponent Dmitry Tursunov was forced into early retirement through injury,

Belarus' 14th seed Victoria Azarenka salutes the Melbourne crowd after beating Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium 6-0 6-0.

Former Formula One driver Mark Webber was among those in attendance at the Rod Laver Arena during the second day of the Australian Open.

Fans get up close and personal to Novak Djokovic during a practice session at Melbourne Park.

Spectators at the Rod Laver Arena take in the all-Australian clash between Lleyton Hewitt and James Duckworth. Hewitt claimed a 7-6 6-2 6-4 victory.