Rafael Nadal vs. Fabio Fognini: Score and Reaction from 2015 US Open

Down two sets and 3-1 in the third, Fabio Fognini orchestrated a brilliant comeback in the third round of the U.S. Open to defeat Rafael Nadal in a five-set match that ended early Saturday morning.

It is the first time in Fognini's career he has defeated a player ranked in the top 10 on a hardcourt; he was 0-17 entering Friday night.

For Nadal, it is the first time he has lost in the third round of the U.S. Open since 2005, when he fell to James Blake. It's also the first time he has ever lost a match when winning the first two sets; he was previously 151-0.

Here is a look at the marathon match's score:

Player	Set 1	Set 2	Set 3	Set 4	Set 5
Rafael Nadal	6	6	4	3	4
Fabio Fognini	3	4	6	6	6

It was Nadal's serve early that was setting him up nicely to be so aggressive. Fognini's returns were tame to start, allowing Nadal to control the pace and direction of the rally. On numerous occasions, Fognini could do nothing more than float up an opportunity for Nadal to smash home as he took an early advantage.

Nadal grabbed the first set 6-3, controlling Fognini's serve well as he won 16 of 31 receiving points. But Fognini was not doing himself any favors, committing 11 unforced errors in each of the first two sets. He lost the second 6-4.

Fognini was his usual fiery self, and losing was not making things better. U.S. Open Tennis showed his frustration:

"

#Fognini may be down two sets but his racquet skills cannot be denied #usopen pic.twitter.com/nLbagl96rs

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2015"

He even tried to slow things down by having a lengthy conversation with the umpire in the third set down 3-1.

It worked, as he won five of the next six games to win the third set 6-4. Fognini was simply overpowering his opponent, providing an answer for every Nadal shot.

He was able to negate his eight unforced errors with 12 winners in the third set. Suddenly, a match that looked all but over was a lot more interesting.

Play in the fourth set could only be described as nervous. Nadal, desperate to hold his lead, had an air of desperation as Fognini was throwing everything in the arsenal at him.

Nadal converted his fifth break opportunity to take the first game of the fourth set. It gave Nadal some momentum as the unforced errors continued to plague Fognini. After losing the first two games, though, Fognini once again battled back, winning the next three games to grab momentum.

Nadal was not making Fognini move, as the Italian was given plenty of time to set himself, pick his shot and make his opponent work. It was seemingly getting easy for Fognini.

But tennis reporter Carole Bouchard didn't mind as the match trudged through the New York night:

Fognini won the set and did so in convincing fashion:

The fifth set was a series of unforced errors and missed opportunities. In fact, at one point there were seven consecutive service breaks. But it was Fognini who dug just deep enough to come out with the win.

Fognini is off to the fourth round where he will face Feliciano Lopez. For Nadal, he'll look to return to his best in the 2016 season.

Three ATP singles titles aside, it's clear Nadal hasn't been, well, Nadal since the turn of the year, with many questioning whether the Spaniard will ever be one of the game's greats again.

But as Nadal edges closer to full fitness, major tournament glory remains a distinct possibility.