Second-round matches are usually routine for Rafael Nadal, but the Spanish top star will probably remember this match at the US Open in New York for a long time. The 22-time Grand Slam tournament winner was completely lost in his difficult victory against the Italian Fabio Fognini for one and a half sentences before the 36-year-old fought his way out of the deep and dominated the action.
02.09.2022 07.37
Online since today, 7.37 a.m
When everything seemed decided, Nadal injured himself: with a backhand hit, the racket hit his nose violently from the ground. The bleeding wound had to be treated during a medical break. From then on, Nadal played with a nasal plaster – and suddenly lost his rhythm again.
However, the second in the world rankings quickly recovered and advanced to the third round with a 2:6 6:4 6:2 6:1 victory. There he meets Richard Gasquet from France. “It happened to me before with the golf club, but not with the tennis racket,” Nadal said afterwards, smiling about his accident. He feels “a little dizzy” and it “hurts a little”.
Nadal showed resilience in the second round match against Fognini
The title favorite was not at all satisfied with “one of the worst starts to a match I’ve ever had”. He was “completely frustrated” and somehow tried to “stay positive”.
Alcaraz and Swiatek sovereign
With strong performances, Nadal’s compatriot and young star Carlos Alcaraz and favorite Iga Swiatek advanced to the third round on Thursday. Alcaraz, seeded number three, made short work of Argentinian Federico Coria in the 6:2 6:1 7:5. The Polish Swiatek was not on the court for long either: The world number one finished off the former US Open winner Sloane Stephens (USA) 6: 3 6: 2.
Young star Alcaraz marched into the third round at breakneck speed
While Cameron Norrie (GBR/7), Andrej Rublew (RUS/9), Jannik Sinner (ITA/11) and Marin Cilic (CRO/15) each progressed in three sets for the men, there was a surprise for the women. The number four ranked Spaniard Paula Badosa lost after winning the first set to the Croatian Petra Martic 7: 6 (7/5) 1: 6 2: 6.
Jessica Pegula (USA/8), on the other hand, managed to climb 6:4 6:4 over Alexandra Sasnowitsch (BLR) and Olympic champion Belinda Bencic (SUI/13), who defeated Sorana Cirstea (ROU) 3:6 7:5 6 :2 but had some trouble.
