Rafa Nadal faced his stiffest challenge yet at the U.S. Open but raised his game to beat Marin Cilic 6-3 3-6 6-1 6-2 on Monday, and continued his quest for a fourth Flushing Meadows title.
The second-seeded Spaniard was in cruise control as he took the first set behind some superb serving and stout defense, but the big-hitting Croatian battled back to snatch the second.
Cilic would double fault later in the game to give Nadal a 3-1 lead, and would never threaten again on a hot and humid night in New York, with Tiger Woods, among the star-studded crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium cheering on the Spaniard.“He’s an amazing inspiration; all the things that he accomplish in sport, the way that he managed to keep fighting that hard,’ Nadal said of Woods.
The 33-year-old has had a relatively stress-free time at the tournament so far, dropping just one set and getting a walkover in the second round. The diminutive Argentine had faced Nadal seven times and lost every meeting but has proven a difficult test in the slams, forcing the Spaniard to go four tough sets at the 2018 Australian and French Opens.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nadal breezes into U.S. Open fourth round - Premium Times NigeriaThe three-times champion took control of the match when he broke the South Korean’s serve in the first set to grab a 4-2 lead.
Read more »
Osaka, Nadal headline Day Eight at U.S. Open - The Nation NewspaperDefending champion Naomi Osaka will seek a spot in the U.S. Open quarter-finals when she returns to the court on Monday while second seed...
Read more »
Nadal breezes into U.S. Open fourth round - Premium Times NigeriaThe three-times champion took control of the match when he broke the South Korean’s serve in the first set to grab a 4-2 lead.
Read more »
Osaka, Nadal headline Day Eight at U.S. Open - The Nation NewspaperDefending champion Naomi Osaka will seek a spot in the U.S. Open quarter-finals when she returns to the court on Monday while second seed...
Read more »
BREAKING: Bencic dumps US Open champion Osaka out in last 16
Read more »
Benic Ousts Osaka While Vekic Rallies For US Open WinBenic Ousts Osaka While Vekic Rallies For US Open Win.
Read more »