Rafael Nadal has suffered a straight sets defeat in the quarter-finals of the Swiss Indoors event in Basel, losing 6-2 7-6 to 17-year-old wildcard Borna Coric.
The world number three, who has been suffering with appendicitis in recent weeks, was clearly struggling in the first set, allowing the Croatian teenager to get an early break on the board.
The Spaniard was unable to challenge the youngster's serve, while a string of late mistakes from the French Open champion ensured that Coric wrapped up the set.
Nadal dug deep to keep pace with his opponent in the second, taking the set to a tie-break to give himself hope of completing a comeback.
However, the Croatian proved too strong, making Nadal cover the entire court to try to get his returns in, which ultimately proved too much for the ailing Spaniard.
Nadal will have a week off, after confirming that he will not take part in the Paris Masters earlier today, while Coric will take on Belgium's David Goffin in the final.
Sian Cowper
