LONDON — Rafa Nadal put a positive spin on his latest setback after being out-foxed in a 6-3 6-7(6) 6-4 defeat by Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov in the first round of the Aegon Championships at Queen's Club on Tuesday.
The former world number one was hoping to back up his title at Stuttgart last week with a strong showing on the west London grasscourts, but was stopped in his tracks by a tricky opponent.
Nadal's early loss at the traditional Wimbledon warm-up event means his chances of climbing back into the top eight of the ATP rankings from his current 10th spot in time for the All England Club fortnight are gone.