Rafael Nadal lost in three sets to Alexandr Dolgopolov in the first round at Queen's Club

Rafa Nadal crashed out of the Aegon Championships at the first hurdle, losing in three sets to Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3 6-7 6-4 at Queen's Club.

Nadal got off to a terrible start, losing his first service game as Dolgopolov came out all guns blazing.

The Ukrainian held nothing back as he took on the big shots from the off. His aggressive strategy certainly seemed to pay off and he was 3-0 up with two break points before Nadal had time to catch his breath.

He held on to put himself on the scoreboard but was unable to keep Dolgopolov at bay as the barrage continued. The 26-year-old kept his nerve to serve out the set, taking it 6-3.

It was a different Nadal at the start of the second with his resolute defence coming to the fore to prevent Dolgopolov bursting from the blocks in the same devastating fashion as he had in the first.

While still not at his best, the 14-time Grand Slam winner did enough to force a tie break. Nadal survived a match point to win the breaker 7-5 and it seemed the tide had turned in his favour.

Indeed, once he went a break up in the deciding set most assumed the result was a formality.

However, Dolgopolov had different ideas and broke back in the eighth game of the set. He survived two break points in the very next game but appeared to find some positive intent that had alluded him as Nadal took control.

Serving to stay in the match, Nadal was soon under the pressure he had been in early in the contest and a stunning backhand return set up his second match point of the match.

This time there was no mistake from Dolgopolov as he sent a forehand winner past Nadal to secure his place in the next round.