Rafael Nadal didn’t have the easiest 2^nd round at the US Open.

The world no.1 was the hot favorite against the world no. 121 Taro Daniel, but something went pretty wrong for the Spanish legend at the beginning of the match when Rafa was 1 set (4-6) and 1 break down (1-2). The Japanese wasn’t playing a superb match, but for some reasons, he managed to take the lead, and that was bad news for Rafa also because the contest was quite physical. Eventually, Nadal found his way back to immediately break Daniel in the 4^th (2-2) and the 8^th (5-3) game. That was too much for the Japanese that crumbled under Rafa’s pressure. Finally, Nadal won the match 4-6 6-3 6-2. The fight ended late night at 12.30am 

Next vs. Leonardo Mayer

Rafa will face a dangerous Leonardo Mayer in the 3^rd round. Even if Rafa has a great 3-0 record against the Argentine and he has never conceded a single set to Leonardo, the Mallorcan needs to be careful because Mayer is a good shape. The Argentine has joined the lucky draw as a lucky loser, but he has defeated Richard Gasquet in the first round.