Rafael Nadal out of US Open after five-set defeat by Fabio Fognini

Rafael Nadal, winner of 14 major titles, is out of the US Open after throwing away a two-set lead against Italy's Fabio Fognini.

It is the first time the Spaniard has lost a Grand Slam match after winning the opening two sets, and means he will now end the season without a major title for the first time since 2004.

Nadal, who has not gone beyond the quarter-finals of any major in 2015, outplayed Fognini for over an hour under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium as he took the first two sets 6-3 6-4, but in the third set the Italian found a different gear to take it 6-4.

The momentum then swung in the Italian's favour as he exposed Nadal's weaknesses with devastating efficiency, unleashing 70 winners during an exhilarating contest which lasted three hours and 46 minutes. 

The match came to a climax in the fifth set as the pair exchanged seven consecutive breaks of serve and a series of thrilling points, which had the remaining crowd applauding on their feet.

As the clock ticked past 1am at Flushing Meadows, Fognini finally held serve to seal a 3-6 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 victory and the biggest win of his career, while Nadal was left to reflect on another early exit in the majors following his second round defeat to Dustin Brown at Wimbledon in July.

The world number 30 will now face Spain's Feliciano Lopez for a place in the quarter-finals.