Rafael Nadal overcomes Fabio Fognini in four sets in US Open second round
Rafael Nadal overcomes Fabio Fognini in four sets in US Open second round
MELBOURNE, Australia (RNS) Rafael Nadal was able to overcome Fabio Fognini in straight sets in the second round of the 2013 US Open, as the former French Open champion recovered from a set down to win 6-3, 6-1, 6-4.
“I’m really happy,” Nadal said. “I worked really hard in practice, and it’s really important that I feel good at this moment. Today wasn’t easy. I had a really tough match against Rafa, and was really lucky to get an easy win.”
At 29, Nadal is only two months older than Nadal, who beat Novak Djokovic in a four-setter at the 2006 US Open, but as a player at his highest level he does not feel that way about the occasion.
“In my mind, I’m not sad to win today,” he said. “I’m sad to lose. We played a really tough match last night, and I feel really happy to win today.”
Nadal did not play in the second round last year because of an ankle injury, but came up with big wins against Robin Soderling, in a quarterfinal, and Dominic Thiem in the semifinals.
Nadal had also won three times at the US Open from 2004 to 2008, but he was only able to do that because of his back, which he suffered while training during the 2008 season.
“I’m going to be a little bit sad because the US Open was my last opportunity at a Grand Slam,” Nadal said. “It was my last chance at winning a Grand Slam, and I missed it. I have to say, I wish I could have started winning majors at the age of 30.
“For me, I can’t say I’m happy, but I’m going to be very happy to get to play against Thiem on Friday.”
At 29, Nadal is only two months older than Nadal, who beat Novak Djokovic in a four-setter at the 2006 US Open, but as a player at his highest level he does not feel that way about the occasion.
“In my mind, I’m not sad to