Wimbledon 2013: Five reasons why Nadal lost his first round clash to Darcis

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4. Rafa is vulnerable in Week 1 at Wimbledon

More than any other slam, Nadal has had difficulty at Wimbledon during the first week. He is a 2-time champion on the hallowed greens, but it has not been without the odd first week scare, especially against players with good grass court games.

In 2003, he was taken to four sets by Mario Ancic in Round 1 before eventually falling to Paradorn Srichaphan in straight sets in Round 3. In 2005, he lost in the 2nd round in four sets to Gilles Mueller, an accomplished serve and volleyer.

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In 2006, when he made his first final, he had to come back from two-sets-to-love down against unseeded Robert Kendrick in Round 2. A second consecutive runner-up trophy in 2008 came after surviving back-to-back five-setters against Robin Soderling and Mikhail Youzhny (was 0-2 down) in Rounds 3 and 4.

In 2010, the year he captured his second Wimbledon title, he was taken to five yet again by Robin Haase in the second round and Philipp Petzschner in the third round. And of course last year, the second round exit to Lukas Rosol in five sets.

In other words, whether with a warm up tournament under his belt or not, Nadal has had a tough first week at SW19 in at least five out of the eight years that he has appeared. The courts are fresh and fast in the first week and opponents have managed to use that to good effect against him.

What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here

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