Rafael Nadal drops first set but rallies to defeat Rinky Hijikata at US Open 2nd Round
Rafael Nadal came to the US Open with an eye on two titles, having already won Wimbledon and the Australian Open in 2014. But the Spaniard was still fighting a gruelling schedule that included back-to-back Slams he lost and just one he won.
And after his defeat in the final, Nadal was left devastated by his loss.
“I just didn’t play well enough today. I couldn’t find my rhythm. I couldn’t get my movement right. And I had injuries throughout this year. So I didn’t have many opportunities to practice the last month of the year,” he said.
“I’m very disappointed, you know. I would like to stay here and compete, play well and have a great career. So, obviously I couldn’t do that today.”
Nadal faced a similar situation prior to his last Slam at the Australian Open in January. He was injured on his left arm in May and missed the grass-court season after the wrist injury.
He didn’t return to his best form until Wimbledon after recovering in time. Nadal’s return to the Top 4 wasn’t a complete success, however, with a second-round exit after just one set. He then lost in the fourth round at the French Open following another setback and a second-round exit in Brisbane.
But Nadal had a successful grass-court season, losing only one match in Sydney in January.
He is now set to face fellow Spaniard Novak Djokovic in Saturday’s semi-finals.
Nadal, who is playing with a partial tear of the right rotator cuff, said he hoped to “play all the matches” in the tournament.
He started the last set of the final off with a big serve. He was down 4-5 with two points. He then broke to take the set.