World number five Rafael Nadal has been knocked out of the Australian Open first round by fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco. The epic five-set match ended 7-6, 4-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2 in four hours, 41 minutes. It’s only Nadal’s second ever opening round defeat at a major tournament. Meanwhile, in the women’s competition, former world number one Ana Ivanovic beat the unseeded Tammi Patterson 6-2, 6-3.

Italy, Denmark miss out on World Cup after shootout defeats
FIFA president says 'only' Plan A for Iran's World Cup schedule
Relegation-battling Spurs appoint De Zerbi as manager
Addo out as Ghana's coach 72 days before World Cup
Fifteen‑year‑old Sooryavanshi tears apart Chennai with 15‑ball fifty in IPL
