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Elusive U.S. Open title will end up in Nadal’s hands
4 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Rafael Nadal has conquered #1 ATP ranking, Wimbledon, Paris, Melbourne, the Olympics, Davis Cup, but there remains one more territory for the Spaniard to overtake – New York.
It’s just a matter of time before Nadal wins the U.S. Open because when this man sets his sights on a target, he always figures out a way to get the job done. In 2006 we saw how he transformed his game to succeed on grass and gave notice to the tennis world and Federer he was not just a clay court specialist, losing 06, 67 (5), 76 (2), 36.
Nadal came back the next year and showed remarkable improvements, taking Federer to the limit, before falling 67 (7), 64, 67 (3), 62, 26. That scoreline doesn’t show that the second week rain delays and scheduling hampered Nadal’s fitness in the final set and gave the well-rested Federer a significant advantage.
After the narrow victory, Federer himself accurately acknowledged that it would not be long before Nadal eventually reigned supreme at the All England Club. “He’s a fantastic player and he’s going to be around much longer,” Federer said. “So I’m happy every one I get now – before he takes them all…I mean he’s improving so much.”
Federer’s words were pinpoint prophetic as he was defeated by Nadal the very next year in 2008, 97 in the fifth set.
Later that summer, Nadal also won Olympic gold in singles in Beijing, then lost to Andy Murray in the semis in New York.
Last year Nadal lost to eventual champ Juan Martin Del Potro in the U.S. Open semis.
This year, could be a different story. Remember those words of Roger Federer: “I’m happy every (grand slam title) I get now before (Nadal) takes them all.”
Photo credit: Henk Abbink
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ahacker · June 7, 2010 at 7:14 pm
It’s not the players he has to overcome, it’s the injuries and scheduling. He’s rushing into the grass court season, suggesting he’s back to overplaying (he did probably play one too many clay court tournaments, even though he won them all), and then he’ll make the switch to hardcourts which have worn him down in the past.
Dan Markowitz · June 8, 2010 at 2:15 am
The US Open is such an elevation for Nadal. His serve is still not strong enough to win easy points off of. He lost to Ljubicic in the semis of Indy Wells and Roddick in the semis of Miami so he hasn’t had great success on American hardcourts. The fact that Del Potro won’t be in the mix and Murray and Djokovic are having sub-par years could help, but it’s a long shot for Nadal.
Scoop Malinowski · June 8, 2010 at 3:05 am
Ljubicic just had one of those magical weeks in IWells, which Rios had a few, Pioline in Monte Carlo, Johansson, Pavel in Canada, etc. Nadal made it quite clear yesterday he’s all in for New York this year and you have to think him and Uncle Toni are going to get it right one of these Septembers. Nadal has come close twice now, when he gets that close you just know he will find a way to close the deal.
Richard Pagliaro · June 10, 2010 at 4:09 pm
I agree that the absence of Del Potro definitely will help Nadal as del Po, IMO, has his number on hard courts as he can simply hit right through him. That US Open semi last year was the first time I recall Nadal actually rushing between points as Del Po really took it to him. Davydenko has also had good success against him on hard courts, but who knows how Davydenko’s wrist will hold up.
I tend to think this year is Nadal’s best shot at the open. AFter Wimbledon, he likely won’t play until the Masters 1000 events in Canada and Cincy. It’s a tough call to make right now as we don’t know how he will feel physically in August and of course you have to see how it plays out during the US Open Series. I would never say he’ll never win it, I just think if he doesn’t win it this year it will be tougher for him. I mean even a guy like Isner at Indian Wells gave him a really tough match (realize it is only best-of-three sets there) so it will be interesting.