RAFA’S BUMPED & THEN DUMPED

PUMPED-UP Rafa Nadal smashed his head against a ceiling BEFORE an epic contest with Gilles Muller – and was then sensationally knocked out. As he loosened up indoors, ahead of what turned out to be a monumental Court One clash, the Spaniard jumped so violently, he butted the panelling above him. And the roof eventually caved in on Nadal, as he was floored by 34-year-old Muller in a nerve-shredding final set. Nadal had staved off four match points, but Muller eventually got his man, to set up a quarter-final meeting with Marin Cilic. It was a huge shock for Nadal, who has won this tournament twice before (2008 and 2010) and was many experts’ favourite this time around. The signs were ominous for 31-year-old Nadal when a run of 28 consecutive Grand Slam set-wins came to an end as the Luxembourg No.16 seed took the opener... and then the second. After hitting back in the next two sets, though, the stage looked set for a trademark Nadal comeback win. Few expected anything less. Muller had only beaten Nadal once in his career, although that was here in 2005, a victory that earned him a third round place that, until now, had been his best effort at the tournament.

Yet, watched by Prince Felix of Luxembourg, Muller found a new lease of life and was always on the front-foot to finally claim a 6-3 6-4 3-6 4-6 15-13 triumph.

In the gathering gloom, after a match that lasted four hours and 48 minutes, Muller (circle) was drained but elated, saying: “I haven’t actually realised what has just happened.

“I am tired. I am glad it’s over. I was already thinking about the match having to end and coming back tomorrow. “I’d already had four match points, I think, and then thought… just go for it.

“It’s just a great feeling to be winning that sort of match.”

Nadal looked shell-shocked and was struggling for words when reflecting on the defeat.

He said: “It was not my best match but I played against a very uncomfortable opponent.

“I did well to come back but made a few mistakes. It was a great feeling to have the support of the crowd, so sorry to them.”

He also refused to discuss his pre-match bump, hardly surprising seeing as the one inflicted by Muller was the more painful one.

Novak Djokovic’s fourth round match against France’s Adrian Mannarino was postponed until today because of Nadal and Muller’s five-set marathon.