London: In what could be the biggest upset of Wimbledon 2013, Spain's Rafael Nadal was stunned in the first round by 135th-ranked Steve Darcis of Belgium here on Monday. Darcis managed to outplay Nadal 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (10/8), 6-4.

Nadal, who had claimed his French Open title for the eighth time a few weeks ago, was outdone by Darcis, who has never gone beyond the third round of Grand Slam.

Darcis managed took control of match by winning the first set in a tie breaker. However, knowing Nadal's capabilities and his recent track record of coming back strong after losing the first set, it was expected from him to make a comeback. He did manage to break the lead 6-5 in the second set but Darcis came back from behind in the 12th game before holding his nerve for a two sets lead on his fifth set point in the tiebreak.

Darcis broke again for 2-0 in the third set and then he went ahead 5-3 in the decider and claimed his famous win after 2hr 55min with his 13th ace of the match.

After the match Dracis said, “Nobody was expecting my win today. I don't know what to say. I'm really happy," said Darcis. OK, Nadal didn't play his best tennis, but I knew the first match on grass is always difficult. For me it is a big win. I tried to come into the net, it worked pretty good.”

It was for the first time since Gustavo Kuerten in 1997 that a French Open champion had lost in the opening round at Wimbledon.

Federer wins

Meanwhile defending Champion Roger Federer dominated the opening match of his Wimbledon campaign as he beat Romanian Victor Hanscu 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 in just 69 minutes.

Federer will now go head to head against the Ukrainian, Sergiy Stakhovsky for a place in the last 32.

Federer is looking forward to a record eighth Wimbledon title and is elated to be back on the Centre Court to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his first triumph at the All England Club.