The Spanish great was sent packing by Frances Tiafoe

Rafael Nadal's hopes of a third Grand Slam title of the year ended at the US Open as the Spaniard crashed out to unfancied American Frances Tiafoe on Monday night in what has been dubbed tennis' 'upset of the year'.

With Russian defending champion Daniil Medvedev gone after being beaten by Nick Kyrgios at the weekend, Nadal also failed to make it past the last 16 and guaranteed that there will be a new king of New York.

Nadal's performance appeared to be affected by the abdominal strain that saw him withdraw from a Wimbledon semi-final date with Kyrgios earlier this summer, with the four-time US Open winner starting on the wrong foot by conceding the first set 6-4. 

Fighting back to take the second set by the same margin, Nadal scrapped but ultimately lost the third and fourth sets 6-4 and 6-3 as Tiafoe wrapped up victory in a three-and-a-half-hour tussle.

"I'm beyond happy, I'm almost in tears. I can't believe it," said a clearly moved Tiafoe, 24, in his post-match interview.

"He's definitely one of the greatest of all time. I played unbelievable tennis today, but I really don't know what happened.

FRANCES TIAFOE PULLS OFF THE UPSET OVER RAFAEL NADAL

Source: RT - Daily news