Even die-hard Federer fans can't see Nadal lose like this: Twitter reacts to the 8th seed's shock exit from US Open

Rafael Nadal made his earliest US Open exit in a decade Friday, suffering his first Grand Slam defeat after leading by two sets, while Serena Williams rallied to keep her calendar Slam dream alive.

Spanish eighth seed Nadal, whose 14 Slam titles include the 2010 and 2013 US Open crowns, fell victim to 32nd-seeded Italian Fabio Fognini 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Nadal had not lost so early on the New York hardcourts since a third-round ouster in 2005 by American James Blake. The 29-year-old left-hander had been 151-0 in Slam matches when leading by two sets.

But Fognini imposed seven consecutive service breaks upon Nadal in the fourth and fifth sets, smacking 70 winners past the iconic star in a fantastic effort.

As always, social media was abuzz and this is how they reacted to Nadal’s loss.

2015 is the first year since 2004 in which Rafael Nadal has not won a Grand Slam title. And he only reached two QFs. #USOpen

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 5, 2015

90 seconds after one of the most crushing losses of his life he signs every autograph. Epitome of class. #nadal pic.twitter.com/uLEJQSvXHe

— Colin Priestner (@colinpriestner) September 5, 2015

Roger Federer (in 2005) and now Italian Fabio Fognini - the only two men to beat Rafael Nadal after being 2 sets down...#USOpen Round3

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 5, 2015

The agony of defeat for Rafa Nadal, what a match https://t.co/mhmmhO7v7e

— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) September 5, 2015

The defeat to Fognini also ends Nadal's 10-year streak of winning at least one major title per season. #USOpen2015 pic.twitter.com/dB9BpWNohj

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) September 5, 2015

With inputs from AFP