(AP) The ‘tweener lob Rafael Nadal somehow conjured up to get to match point was so spectacular, he was asked whether he’d ever before hit a shot quite like that.
“Well, actually, yes,” Rafa said, nodding and laughing. “Not many times, but I remember one.”
This one certainly was memorable, providing quite a flourish at the end of a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory over 47th-ranked Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia on Friday night that put Rafa back in the U.S. Open’s fourth round for the first time since winning the 2013 title.
Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a serve to Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia during his third round Men’s Singles match on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia during his third round Men’s Singles match on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia during his third round Men’s Singles match on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot by hitting the ball between his legs to Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia during his third round Men’s Singles match on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Chris Trotman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia during his third round Men’s Singles match on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia during his third round Men’s Singles match on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his third round Men’s Singles match against Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his third round Men’s Singles match against Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts to a point during his match against Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia during his third round Men’s Singles match on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Chris Trotman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory at the end of his Third Round match with Andrey Kusnetsov of Russia on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory at the end of his Third Round match with Andrey Kusnetsov of Russia on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his third round Men’s Singles match against Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his third round Men’s Singles match against Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his third round Men’s Singles match against Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his third round Men’s Singles match against Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory at the end of his Third Round match with Andrey Kusnetsov of Russia on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory at the end of his Third Round match with Andrey Kusnetsov of Russia on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his third round Men’s Singles match against Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory at the end of his Third Round match with Andrey Kusnetsov of Russia on Day Five of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2016 – Source: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images North America)
Rafa said the wrist, which helps generate all of that heavy topspin on his uppercut of a lefty forehand, still feels pain — but noted that it’s “something that is not limiting my game now. That’s the most important thing.”
He said his forehand is improving, and he’s particularly pleased to be more comfortable hitting that stroke down the line, which opens up space to allow him to hit it cross-court. Against Kuznetsov, Rafa produced 15 of his 22 winners with forehands.
But the shot everyone will talk about was not a forehand. Closing in on victory, Rafa raced toward the baseline to retrieve a lob hit by Kuznetsov. With his back to the net, Rafa lifted himself off the ground and flicked a lob of his own through his legs. His racket then slipped out of his hand, but he leaned over to grab it and eventually took that point.
Afterward, Rafa screamed, punched the air and spread his arms wide, pumping his fists.
“You cannot practice that kind of shot,” he said.
Not everything went so perfectly for Rafa on this evening in Arthur Ashe Stadium. His level dipped in the second set, when he double-faulted five times and was broken twice.
Still, he overcame that blip and came up with a strong close. Not only has he not lost a set through three rounds, but Nadal has dropped only 20 games so far. It’s the fewest games he’s lost en route to the fourth round at the U.S. Open.
Next comes a matchup Sunday against 24th-seeded Lucas Pouille of France.
“I need to be ready for the match,” Rafa said. “I need to be ready to play my best if I want to keep going.”
Source: Associated Press
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“Walkabout: a term that refers to the [Australian] Aborigines’ camp-to-camp movements.
Yvonne Goolagong, a multi-grand-slam winner, would use “walkabout” to explain her loss of concentration, or her uneven results, when questioned by reporters. She used this as a pat answer for explanation-starved reporters, which invariably closed out the interview. Now who would have thunk?
There is a YouTube video of Rafa having a fun time playing a video game with some youngsters after his Nike interview here in NY.
Tomorrow, NY is expecting to be hit by hurricane Hermine. If she hits I hope it is after the day’s matches are finished. Thus far, the most precise information of her arrival is Sunday evening. If there are any significant changes to this I will post it.
There is a chance that she will never arrive. Hopefully she will be like Godot!
RAFA ROCKS NY
Hermoso mach Vamos Rafa tu te mereces este trofeo eres un verdadero champion
Rafa you have thrilled NYers yet again. So very happy for you in your quest of another US Open trophy. Keep moving forward!
RAFA ROCKS
Today Rafa played best set(1st set) of his in this tournament
if he can play like this is a huge boost for rafa
I dont know why recently his level are getting dipped after playing a very best set
But good thing was he closed out well
Because same thing happened when he played foggini in us open although playing good
Rafa need to serve like did in 1st set and play long
Vamos rafa
They were talking about this on ESPN saying he goes ‘walkabouts’ and needs to address it. At this stage of his career you wouldn’t expect concentration to be an issue just because he is having a relatively easy match. It is strange though because I’m used to Rafa starting slow particularly in the early days, he could lose an entire first set due to nerves. Now he is starting quickly and trailing off. But as you say he is coming back well to finish.
Great match. So happy for you. Vamos Rafa!!!
Rafa i didn’t see the match but from all accounts you did a great job.
i am glad to hear you say your wrist is holding up healthily.
All the best for your next match,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Quel gd champion ce rafa 👍c est 1 vrai régal de le voir jouer ainsi👏👏👏👏👏vamooos rafaaaa❤❤❤❤❤
Quel gd champion ce rafa 👍c est 1 vrai régal de le voir jouer ainsi👏👏👏👏👏👏vamoooooos rafaaaaa❤❤❤❤❤
Rafael looked as though he was relishing every moment and loving it! So much
pure joy in hitting a great shot, and regaining that winning form. Tennis in New York with Rafael firing incredible shots-stay healthy-keep fighting!💪👏👍🔥😁👊👍🏆👑❤️
Vamos rafa. If u want to win another us open, the here is your best shot.
Is there a video? I could only hear the match; something wrong with my cable connection, and there was no streaming available.
You make so many people in the world feel so happy for you!!
Great good luck🌞