Nadal safe to the US Open 2nd round

Rafael Nadal gets to the US Open 2nd round after overcoming a tentative start in the opening set against Dusan Lajovic under the roof on the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The world no.1 lost his serve in the third game (1-2) to then find himself battling on a 1-3 scoreline. Eventually, the Serbian failed to serve out the set when he was leading 5-4 after dropping his serve at love. After conquering that break, Rafa brought the affair to the breaker that Nadal won at 6.

Lajovic couldn’t deal with the disappointment of having wasted his 1st set lead, and Nadal took full advantage to win the following 2 sets with ease. The final score was 7-5 6-2 6-2, and the contest ended after 2 hours and 17 minutes.

   

I was a bit nervous. NADAL

Soon after the match, Rafa commented

“It was a tough beginning of the match. Some nerves, obviously, after a week here practicing well. I was practicing every day at very high level. Today I didn’t play at that high level, but just like this, the important thing is I won, and I have one more day to keep practicing and another chance to play better the next day.

It is normal that you have some nerves at the beginning and you get a little bit tight at the beginning of the tournament. So, the important thing is to be through, and that’s what I did today. It was a tough start, but then I played better.”



The second round

Rafa will face either Taro Daniel or Tommy Paul in the second round. The Spaniard may have a slight advantage as his next opponent will not have a 1 day off because of the Monday’s rain.


NERVOUS AND SUCCESSFUL     
                                 

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