It was a day of upsets today at the Australian Open as Rafa Nadal, Venus Williams and Simon Halep all suffered first round exits.

Nadal allowed a sets lead of 2-1 to slip as he lost in the first round of the Australian Open for the first time in his career, going down in five sets to fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.

The final score was 7-6, 4-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2.

British number one Johanna Konta defeated eighth seed Venus Williams 6-4 6-2 to reach the second round while women's second seed Simona Halep is also on her way home after a straight sets loss to Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai, who claimed her first victory in a Grand Slam at her 15th attempt.

Veteran Australian Lleyton Hewitt beat his compatriot James Duckworth to extend his pro career by at least one match after previously annoucing that this year's tournament would be his last before retirement.