Former Illini tennis star Ryler DeHeart lost in the second round of the US Open on Thursday evening to No. 1-ranked Rafael Nadal, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.

DeHeart, a 2006 graduate, won the qualifying tournament to enter the main draw of the US Open, held in New York City. The Illinois alum topped Olivier Rochus of Belgium in the first round before duking it out with the best player in the world.

Nadal cruised through the first two sets until DeHeart dug in and won the first three games of the third set. The Spaniard continued his dominant play and propelled himself into the third round of the Grand Slam tournament by winning six of his last seven games.