Nadal tastes defeat on injury return, Fritz overpowers Kyrgios

:Rafa Nadal lost 7-6(9) 4-6 6-3 to Borna Coric at the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday in the Spaniard's first match since pulling out of the Wimbledon semi-finals due to injury, dealing a big blow to his preparations for the U.S. Open.

The 22-times Grand Slam winner had been hoping to get as many matches under his belt as possible after returning from an abdominal injury but losing to the Croat means he heads to Flushing Meadows well short of competitive action.

Taylor Fritz blasted his way to a 6-3 6-2 win over Australian Nick Kyrgios while Cameron Norrie fought back to beat former world number one Andy Murray 3-6 6-3 6-4 in an all-British clash.

After an hour-long rain delay, Coric, who returned to the Tour in March after a lengthy absence due to a shoulder surgery, edged a nail-biting tiebreaker to take the opener after each players had saved two set points.

With the crowd firmly behind Nadal, the 36-year-old roared back into the contest by breaking former world number 12 Coric's serve midway through the second set to force a decider.

But Coric, now ranked 152nd, got his only break of the left-hander's serve for a 4-2 lead and then sealed his spot in the third round with an inside-out forehand winner on his first match point after two hours and 51 minutes.

"It has been very, very special," Coric said after his victory over world number three Nadal, who won the Australian and French Open titles in an injury-plagued season.

"I was honestly just looking forward to playing this match as I haven't had that in the last two years. Now that I won, it's kind of crazy."

Coric will next play another Spaniard in Roberto Bautista Agut, who defeated home hope Marcos Giron 6-3 6-3.

The upset of the day went to American wild card Ben Shelton