(AP) Rafael Nadal got past the second round at US Open. He was pushed by 74th-ranked Diego Schwartzman but was able to pull out the victory in straight sets on a humid day. Our champ won 7-6 (5), 6-3, 7-5 in 2 hours, 41 minutes. Rafa trailed 5-3 in the first-set tiebreaker but won the last four points.
“To take the first set was very, very important,” he said in an on-court interview.
Rafa will face Fabio Fognini next.
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Diego Schwartzman, of Argentina, left, greets Rafael Nadal, of Spain, after Nadal won their second round match of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts after beating Diego Schwartzman, of Argentina, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal during the match against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of US Open. – Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal of Spain signs autographs for fans following his victory over Diego Schwartzman of Argentina during their second round match at the U.S. Open Championships tennis tournament in New York, September 2, 2015. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, signs autographs for fans after beating Diego Schwartzman, of Argentina, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Source: The Associated Press; Photos: AP, Reuters, Getty Images
Well done Rafa in another well played match,God bless,Alaine from Sydney AustraliaXX
Congratulations! Beware Fognini !!! Worth beaten in three sets! Good luck !!!
Felicitari! Atentie la Fognini!!! Merita batut in trei seturi! Succes!!!
Keep it up, Vamos Rafa >3 <3 <3
“Rafa is leaning backward instead of forward when striking his forehand. He’s swinging straight up instead of through the ball. He’s not hitting out. He’s not going for his shots like he used to.” ~ 18-time slam winner Chris Evert explaining why Rafa’s forehand was way below par today and for most of the last 2 years.
Sound familiar? I hate to say I told you so, but ….
What Evert – and yours truly – describe is a simple technical/tactical problem which is easy to correct with the proper coaching – which unfortunately, Rafa is lacking. He’s gotten away with this coaching deficit for years, but it finally caught up with him in 2014-15.
Rafa will continue his sub-par play and sub-par results until he adds a top-shelf coach to his team who can help him get his act together. His current team obviously can’t do it. Bring on someone who can. Like John McEnroe said, “it’s a no-brainer.”
Barring a miracle, Rafa will be out of this tournament by the quarterfinals, if not sooner. I hate to say it, because I’m a huge fan of his, but it is what it is.
VAMOS!!!
Yes Yes Yes 🙂 Congrats Rafa On A Beautiful Win 🙂 <3 ,Go Go Go Champ 🙂 Good Luck Next Round .<3 .Lv From Sydney <3
My 92 year old granny is going crazy wondering whats up with Nadal
Could you please let me know when hes playing again
Thanks
Rafa a very good win you have to go all the way to the finals ,I love your clouse very good colors I love it vamosssssssssssssssssss your fans for ever.🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎍❤️
My beloved Rafa looked awesome today and is getting back to playing his brand of tennis. On Friday I plan to see his live match against Fognini at the tennis centre in Flushing, NY.
Can’t wait to see my beloved Rafa.
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) HUGE Congratulations on your BEAUTIFUL win today!!!!!! VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!! Loved YOUR Fantastic Volleys……….LOVED the creative OVERHEADS…… YOUR WELL AIMED ACES……YOUR GREAT EFFECTIVE Serve……..your timely awesome Returns…..YOUR solid court coverage……and great net command………and on and on and on….. etc….etc…etc…..GREAT MATCH!!!!!! It was amazing how your Tennis Wisdom, passion & determination & experience on the court were right there and you closed the match in THREE SETS!!!!!!! KUDOS!!!!!!!!!!! You are so incredibly strong & focused!!!!!!!!!!!! Your strong powerful game is all there moving forward a point at a time……..a match at a time…..a win at a time……!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Very VERY happy for you !!!!!!!!! VAMOS dear Rafa & God bless you!!!!! You will do GREAT IN YOUR NEXT MATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It will be exciting to see you play and YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED gliding forward w your strong powerful game!!!!! ENJOY EVERYTHING & especially enjoy focusing on playing your great game with your strength and determination……. W each match you bring more & more top quality & strong TENNIS-KNOW-HOW……it is FANTASTIC to watch ……and you are such a highly competitive strong player…… !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOUR OWN strengths & mighty endurance & longevity & amazing WELL AIMED SERVE will come handy on the next match!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulation again & enjoy & celebrate your amazing win & your outstanding time moving forward!!!!!!!! : ) : ) VAMOS & God bless you!!!!!! Good night & sweet dreams & be sure to have early sleep night and extra recharging solid sleep nap during the days to replenish your beautiful energy fountain!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!! VAMOS!!!!! VAMOS!!!!!