Nadal dumped in first round

Newly-crowned French Open champion Rafael Nadal lost in the first round of the Halle Open to Germany’s Alexander Waske as the Spanish teenager made an unhappy transition from clay to grass on Wednesday.

Nadal lost to the local favourite 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. It was the Spaniard’s first defeat in 26 matches. If Nadal had reached the semi-finals of the pre-Wimbledon event, he could have faced world No.1 Roger Federer of Switzerland, whom he beat in the French Open at the same stage.