McDonald breakspublished at 06:26 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2023
Nadal 4-6 4-6 5-6 McDonald*
Rafael Nadal saves the first break point with an ace but McDonald fires in another backhand winner to get the break!
Summary
Use audio icon at top of the page to listen to Tennis Breakfast on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra (UK only)
Cameron Norrie wins 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 against Constant Lestienne
Norrie match finishes at 01:28 local time in Melbourne after earlier rain delays
Coco Gauff beats Emma Raducanu 6-3 7-6 (7-4)
Rafael Nadal loses 6-4 6-4 7-5 to Mackenzie McDonald
Defending champion Nadal struggles with injury during defeat
Wins for Daniil Medvedev, world number one Iga Swiatek & Stefanos Tsitsipas
McDonald breakspublished at 06:26 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2023
Postpublished at 06:26 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2023
*Nadal 4-6 4-6 5-5 McDonald
Three break points for Mackenzie McDonald, who produces an excellent backhand winner.
Postpublished at 06:25 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2023
*Nadal 4-6 4-6 5-5 McDonald
McDonald works Nadal around the back of the court, testing his movement, and the Spaniard nets on the opening point.
Alarm bells begin to ring for Rafa. 0-30. Shouts of encouragement from the crowd.
Postpublished at 06:24 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2023
*Nadal 4-6 4-6 5-5 McDonald
Nadal gets up and running on McDonald's serve with another fizzing forehand winner.
But the American uses his serve to great effect to recover and extend this tense third set.
Postpublished at 06:23 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2023
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne ParkAre the painkillers kicking in? Nadal suddenly seems to be playing a little bit freer.
The crowd inside Laver are roaring him on and trying to provide some encouragement.
They don't want to see the defending champion limp out of the tournament - literally and metaphorically.
Postpublished at 06:21 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2023
Nadal 4-6 4-6 5-4 McDonald*
The Rod Laver Arena gets right behind Rafael Nadal as a superb forehand winner seals a crucial hold of serve to put him a game away from clawing one set back.
The Spaniard stares across the court as he takes his seat. Huge game coming up for both players.
Postpublished at 06:20 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2023
*Nadal 4-6 4-6 4-4 McDonald
Rafael Nadal continues to stick to his task in set three, with a couple of fine serves helping him to 30-0.
Back comes Mackenzie McDonald, though, who is able to force deuce and then a break point.
Huge cheers from the crowd as a first serve and a smash at the net put the game within reach again...
Tough watch for Rafa's nearest and dearestpublished at 06:15 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2023
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne ParkNadal's body language and facial expressions tell us everything about what is going through his mind.
He's so subdued that he's not even going through his usual bottle-fiddling routines at the changeovers and quickly returning to the baseline.
The Spanish great is not in the mood to hang about in his chair and think about his physical problems.
But it's a tough watch for his nearest and dearest, too.
Wife Xisca looked to be wiping away tears at one point as she watched him toiling.
Postpublished at 06:13 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2023
Nadal 4-6 4-6 4-3 McDonald*
Serve and volley from Rafael Nadal, as he eases to a 30-0 lead before a couple of aces secure an encouraging love hold.
He's beginning to look a bit better, while Mackenzie McDonald's level has dipped.
Postpublished at 06:11 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2023
*Nadal 4-6 4-6 3-3 McDonald
The looks on the faces of those in Rafael Nadal's box are quite telling. They know their man is struggling.
But still, Rafael Nadal fights on, and some of the shots he is now making are a bit ridiculous considering his physical issues.
He certainly won't go without a fight. We remain on serve at 3-3 in the third.
Rain fills up the Melbourne cupspublished at 06:08 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2023
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne ParkAnybody know the Crowded House song 'Four Seasons In One Day'? (One for the older readers - even I'm too young.)
Anyway... the point is the song was inspired by Melbourne's famously changeable weather.
Yesterday, the point was proven when we had a delay for extreme heat and then a break for heavy rain.
Today we have just the rain.
There has been no play on the outer courts, which means it is unlikely we will see Cameron Norrie in action today.
Emma Raducanu's blockbuster match against Coco Gauff will be unaffected as it can be played under the roof on Rod Laver Arena.
Postpublished at 06:04 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2023
*Nadal 4-6 4-6 2-2 McDonald
Of course, it wouldn't be the first time we've watched Rafael Nadal struggle on through pain and still win a match.
He's reached at least the quarter-final stage in each of his past six appearances at the Australian Open.
He's managed to hold serve twice at the start of the third set but he can't find a way past Mackenzie McDonald just yet despite reaching deuce on the American's serve.
Postpublished at 05:59 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2023
Nadal 4-6 4-6 2-1 McDonald*
It's not looking great for Rafa.
His body language suggests he's still suffering with the problem, which appeared to be a hip-related injury as he planted his foot after sprinting to make a shot.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesNadal struggling on day threepublished at 05:55 Greenwich Mean Time 18 January 2023
Good morning all.
We join the day three action at the Australian Open with defending men's champion Rafael Nadal in a spot of trouble on Rod Laver Arena.
The Spaniard is two sets down against American Mackenzie McDonald.
But that's not the full story...
Nadal pulled up with an injury towards the end of the second set and took a medical timeout. Can he recover and get himself into the third round?
Image source, Getty Images