Fernando Verdasco sent shockwaves through the Australian Open by defeating Rafa Nadal 7-6(6) 4-6 3-6 7-6(4) 6-2 to send the former world number one crashing out of the tournament's opening round.
The first-round exit was 2009 champion Nadal's first at Melbourne Park and only his second at a grand slam.
Nadal led by two sets to one and then 2-0 in the decider in Rod Laver Arena but Verdasco came roaring back, unleashing an incredible 90 winners en route to a superb victory.
The world number 45 will now face Israel's Dudi Sela in round two, while Nadal exits a third consecutive grand slam in the first week.
"I played unbelievable in the fifth set from after the break he made against me," Verdasco said.
"I just started hitting winners - I don't know how. I was closing my eyes and everything was coming in."
Fernando Verdasco knocks Nadal out of the #AusOpen https://t.co/AqRg8dCrJG
— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2016
Nadal overcame Verdasco in a momentous five-setter in the Australian Open semi-finals six years ago, but few expected a similar battle with Verdasco now 32 and with his best days behind him.
Nadal, though, is not the powerhouse presence he once was, having crashed out in the second round at Wimbledon last year and US Open third round.
There had been signs of a revival in recent weeks but the 14-time major champion was simply unable to cope with Verdasco's superior baseline hitting, which yielded 90 winners - 41 of them forehands - to Nadal's 37.
A double fault at 6-6 in the first-set tie-break was enough to give Verdasco an early lead, but Nadal looked to have ridden the storm when he clinched the next two sets - the first following a thrilling rally, which ended with Nadal roaring and pumping his fists.
However, Verdasco refused to lie down, cranking up the power on his forehand and nicking the fourth set to force a decider.
Again Nadal edged ahead with an early break in the fifth, but it was Verdasco who strung together six games in a row, including two breaks of serve, to seal victory in four hours and 41 minutes.
Andy Murray gave German teenager b a nosebleed as the British number one sailed into the second round with a straight-sets win.
Zverev had to take a break in just the second game in Margaret Court Arena when his nose began to gush and while he stemmed the bleeding, he was unable to stop the flow of Murray, who won 6-1 6-2 6-3.
Murray, seeded second in Melbourne, will now face big-serving Australian Sam Groth in round two.
"It got tough at the end, there were a lot of long games and rallies - Alex fought hard and made it very competitive," Murray said.
"He's young, he's one of the best young players in the world and he's going to be around for a long time.
"It was hot conditions today, especially when the clouds went, so I was glad to get it done in three sets."
French Open champion Stan Wawrinka shook off a stubborn early challenge from Dmitry Tursunov to advance to the second round when his Russian opponent retired injured.
Wawrinka was leading 7-6(2) 6-3 when Tursunov, who had called the trainer midway through the second set to treat an apparent hip problem, indicated to the umpire he was unable to continue any further.
Tursunov, playing his first grand slam main draw match since the 2014 US Open after battling a succession of foot injuries, had an opportunity to snatch the first set before the Swiss forced a tiebreak, that he won easily 7-2.
The 2014 Melbourne Park champion then pulled away to a 3-0 lead in the second set before Tursunov sought treatment on his painful hip and when the fourth-seeded Wawrinka sealed the second set, the Russian retired.
Dan Evans' first-ever appearance at the tournament ended in a 6-1 6-0 6-4 thrashing at the hands of Spain's Feliciano Lopez.
The 25-year-old had to come through three rounds of qualifying to take his place in the main draw, but that is where his fun ended as the 18th-seed put the Brit to the sword, winning in just 88 minutes.
British number two Aljaz Bedene (above) bowed out at the hands of American 31st seed Steve Johnson.
Slovenia-born Bedene suffered a 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-3) straight-sets defeat.
Bedene represented Slovenia until he turned professional in 2015 and was granted UK citizenship.
Australian Bernard Tomic overcame Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin in four sets but the match had to be stopped for around 15 minutes when a spectator suddenly fell ill.
"It was something I've never experienced in a match, so it was very unfortunate," Tomic said.
"At one stage I was looking directly at the lady. It was not a good moment to be in for me. II felt very, very sad. I really hope she's okay."
Australian favourite Lleyton Hewitt (above) extended his career by another match after he beat compatriot James Duckworth 7-6 (7/5) 6-2 6-4.
Hewitt, who won the US Open in 2001 and Wimbledon in 2002, is set to retire at the end of the tournament.
He said: "I live to fight another couple days. That's good."
The 34-year-old will now play eighth seed David Ferrer in round two.
