It took four sets, but Rafael Nadal secured his place in the Round of 16 at the US Open. Nadal defeated Leonardo Mayer 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 with the roof closed on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday. For the second straight match, the World No. 1 was forced to rebound after dropping the opening set. On Thursday, he rallied from a set and a break down to defeat Taro Daniel and on Saturday, it was Mayer who sent an early message under the lights on Ashe. Mayer imposed himself from the baseline during the 63-minute opener, sending Nadal scrambling from side to side. The Argentine incredibly saved the first 13 break points faced, consistently coming up clutch in the critical...
Watch highlights from Rafael Nadal's third-round victory over Leonardo Mayer, where he rallies from a set down to reach the US Open fourth round. Highlights courtesy US Open. Visit usopen.org for more video. Highlights not available in USA. Photo: Getty Images
Watch highlights as Rafael Nadal overcomes Taro Daniel in four sets to reach the US Open third round on Thursday. Highlights courtesy US Open. Visit usopen.org for more video. Highlights not available in USA. Photo: Getty Images
It's not how you start, but how you finish. Rafael Nadal escaped a stern test from World No. 121 Taro Daniel to reach the third round at the US Open on Thursday. Nadal rallied from a set and a break down to prevail 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 at 12:30 a.m. local time in New York, discovering his top gear at the critical moment under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Spaniard struck 20 winners to 24 unforced errors in the first two sets, but turned the match around in a flash, finishing with 20 winners to just 11 unforced errors in the third and fourth sets. Top seed Nadal booked his spot in the third round for a third...
DAY FOUR HIGHLIGHTS • Second round action in the top half of the draw on Thursday features five-time US Open champion Roger Federer, two-time champion Rafael Nadal and 2009 titleholder Juan Martin del Potro. All but Federer and Nadal are back in action for the second straight day. Also on the schedule are No. 6 seed Dominic Thiem and No. 7 seed Grigor Dimitrov, both who reached semi-finals earlier this season at Roland Garros and the Australian Open, respectively. • Federer, who defeated #NextGenATP American Frances Tiafoe in five sets on Tuesday night in his opener, brings a 16-0 head-to-head record against Russian Mikhail Youzhny. Federer is also 16-0 in 2R US Open matches. He is looking for his 80th...