Fourth seed Rafael Nadal is out of the US Open after being beaten in five sets by world number 25 Lucas Pouille.
The Frenchman outlasted the two-time champion over five gruelling sets 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 to reach the quarter-finals, where he will play his countryman Gaël Monfils.
The match lasted four hours and seven minutes, and went to a tiebreak. At 6-6 in the breaker, Rafa had a brilliant opportunity to bring up a match point but dumped his forehand into the net with the court wide open. Pouille pulled off a winner down the line the next point to seal victory.
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, prepares to serve toLucas Pouille, of France, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Lucas Pouille of France during his fourth round Men’s Singles match on Day Seven of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 4, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 3, 2016 – Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves against Lucas Pouille of France during their US Open Men’s Singles match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 4, 2016. / AFP / KENA BETANCUR (Sept. 3, 2016 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns a shot to Lucas Pouille, of France, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, pauses during play against Lucas Pouille, of France, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts during his match with Lucas Pouille, of France, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, gestures during play with Lucas Pouille, of France, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, wipes his face during play against Lucas Pouille, of France, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts as he plays against Lucas Pouille of France during their US Open Men’s Singles match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 4, 2016. / AFP / KENA BETANCUR (Sept. 3, 2016 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts against Lucas Pouille of France during his fourth round Men’s Singles match on Day Seven of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 4, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 3, 2016 – Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts as he plays against Lucas Pouille of France during their US Open Men’s Singles match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 4, 2016. / AFP / KENA BETANCUR (Sept. 3, 2016 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain hits reacts as he plays against Lucas Pouille of France during their US Open Men’s Singles match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 4, 2016. / AFP / KENA BETANCUR (Sept. 3, 2016 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts against Lucas Pouille of France during his fourth round Men’s Singles match on Day Seven of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 4, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 3, 2016 – Source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts to a point during play with Lucas Pouille, of France, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, celebrates a point during play with Lucas Pouille, of France, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, dries himself with a towel during his match with Lucas Pouille, of France, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, dries his head during his match with Lucas Pouille, of France, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, puts on a clean headband during his match with Lucas Pouille, of France, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, struggles to maintain his footing during play against Lucas Pouille, of France, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, puts his racket to his face during play against Lucas Pouille, of France, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, rubs his eyes during play against Lucas Pouille, of France, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Lucas Pouille, of France, shakes hands with Rafael Nadal, of Spain, after winning their match during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Lucas Pouille, of France, greets Rafael Nadal, of Spain, after winning their match during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, walks from the court after loosing to Lucas Pouille, of France, during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Source: The Guardian
Poullie only won because Rafa missed an easy forham but sometimes easy is not,so Poullie was lucky for that he won
How many more times must Rafa lose to such a youngster on a fifth set tiebreak before the USO organisers wake up and revert back to our good old advantage deciders?! I think it’s just unfair that after FOUR HOURS of epic fight, ONE NET decided it all. It seems Rafa doesn’t like final set tiebreaks too (he lost in Rio vs Delpo and now at USO) 🙁 I think winning both matches 9-7 (or even 12-10 if necessary) wouldn’t hurt him much physically, and wouldn’t ruin the remainders of the tournaments for us, Rafans.
Hope Rafa gets better at next tournaments. VAMOS 🙂
How many times must Rafa lose to such a youngster before the USO organisers wake up and revert back to our good old advantage deciders?! It’s just unfair that after more than FOUR HOURS of epic fight, ONE NET decided it all. And it seems Rafa doesn’t like final set tiebreaks too (he lost vs Delpo at Olympics and now at USO) 😢. I think it would be much better for all us Rafans to see him win both matches 21-19 in the decider.
Hope Rafa gets better at next tournaments. VAMOS 😃
I hope you to win next time.I believe you,Rafa.
Je suis juste désolée pr rafa qu’il se soit fait sortir par 1 minable comme pouille ! 😣
Sorry Rafa Fans, but I am a Die Hard, One Eyed Aussie Rafa Fan from way back, n I cannot give credit to Poulle winning. There is always an element of luck n it was onPoulle’s side! Rafa was the better player n Rafa played a fantastic game, even though his body was completely drained of energy after Rio. He’s had a long strenuous 4/6 weeks, but he still put up a wonderful exhibition n should have been the Winner … Final Word. Vamos Rafa. God Bless. Your Aussie Abuela. 😀😊😇
fear i guess somebody not seen the 5 th set wehen he two time won the game to remain in match with an ease and played the tie breaker till the very end
Point is he is not feared he give to much of authority to the lesser ranked opponent
3rd set was key rafa was so close to break him but he didnt played well at that point
Earlier rafa was able to win the lossing match with not a great form against player like this but now he is loosing a winning match that is the concern
this should never be 5 setter match
Vamos rafa keep practicing
u need ur serve going
I noticed when rafa was winning set 2 that there was that look of fear. And that is why i knew he’d lose and so he did. Another failed season. Better call it quits.
Rafa! I thought you were doing well, my champion! I thought you were getting better and better with each match you played, what happened? I heard you say your forehand isn’t making your opponents suffer, your forehand is lacking the venom it once had. Okay go back, get some rest, then tweak a few things in your serve and forehand, let your wrist heal, and I know I’ll see you show them a thing or two in China and London. I still believe in you, amigo! You are the best!