Rafael Nadal, 3I World player and quadruple winner of the event, 8 . got out ofI US Open final, defeated 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 by American Francis Tiafoe (26I), Monday in New York.
The 24-year-old Russian, who made his debut at Flushing Meadows, will look to do even better against Andre Rublev (11).I,
The Spaniard, 36, will have to wait for him to bring his record of Grand Slam titles to 23. He won the Australian Open and Roland-Garros in the first half, before withdrawing from his semi-final at Wimbledon against Nick Kyrgios due to a stomach tear.
Was forced to stay off the courts for six weeks—which didn’t help his preparation, as he was kicked out as soon as he entered Cincinnati running Borna Couric.
Hard to say, because there was no sign of pain in anything in his body language.
However, Nadal never appeared on his plate in this match, less mobile than usual, also less inclined to fight on all balls as he almost never fails to do so. And his time in the locker room, no less than nine minutes, eternity after the first set loss also raised questions.
The second set somewhat evaporated, as he found a bit of persistence in his game to win it, certainly helped in its conclusion by Tifo’s double mistake.
” I do not believe it “
Not enough to cast doubt on the American, however, who doubled down on his aggression in the third set. He continued to practice dream tennis several times, succeeding in everything from the long-line backhand attack to the crossover drop shot, which stunned Nadal when it was not his counter to flirting with the forehand line, almost always on the right. And.
In the eyes of actor and director Ben Stiller, a celebrity among the 23,800 spectators, both thrilled and amazed by the scenario, Nadal pulled himself together at the start of the fourth inning, braket The first to escape 3-1. He said “Vamos!” clenched his fist with “Of the circumstance.
But Tiafo gritted his teeth and responded as a champion – which he certainly isn’t yet, his career best in the Majors after stopping in the quarter in Melbourne in 2019 – hitting cinderbloks on cinderblocks, almost all in Which has disgusted Nadal. New and pushed to err last time, to bow at his opponent’s second match point after 3:30.
Almost Keo of happiness, barely realizing the extent of his accomplishment, surely one of the most beautiful of his career, Tiafo struggled to hold back his tears.
“I don’t know what to say, I can’t believe it… I played incredible tennis, I don’t know what happened,” he said warmly on cloud nine.
