(AFP) – Rafael Nadal booked his spot in the fourth round of the US Open with a 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Leonardo Mayer in Saturday’s third-round clash in New York. He took his record over the world number 59 from Buenos Aires to 4-0.
Saturday was almost a carbon copy with the 15-time major winner unable to convert any of six points in the opener. But the match turned in the 10-minute seventh game of the second set when, on his 14th break point of the encounter, he finally smashed his way through. After the first two sets took over an hour each to complete, Rafa swept through the third with breaks in the second and sixth games in just 26 minutes. There was no way back for Mayer, who ended the match with 52 unforced errors and his record against top 10 opponents at 1-25.
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during his third round match against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images North America)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal serves the ball to Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer during their 2017 US Open Men’s Singles match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 2, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Jewel SAMAD
Rafal Nadal of Spain prepares to play against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina in their third round Men’s Singles match on Day Six during the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Chris Trotman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his third round match against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
A view of the shoes of Rafael Nadal of Spain during his match against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his third round match against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts after losing a point against Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer during their 2017 US Open Men’s Singles match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 2, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Jewel SAMAD
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his third round match against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal changes a T-shirt during his 2017 US Open Men’s Singles match against Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 2, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Jewel SAMAD
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his third round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Abbie Parr/Getty Images North America)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts to winning a point against Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer during their 2017 US Open Men’s Singles match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 2, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Jewel SAMAD
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his third round match against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his third round match against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina during their third round Men’s Singles match on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his third round match against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina during their third round Men’s Singles match on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina during their third round Men’s Singles match on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina during their third round Men’s Singles match on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina during their third round Men’s Singles match on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts to winning a set against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina during their third round Men’s Singles match on Day Six during the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina during their third round Men’s Singles match on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his third round match against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Abbie Parr/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain (R) shakes hands with Leonardo Mayer of Argentina after defeating him in their third round match on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after his third round match win over Leonardo Mayer of Argentina during their third round Men’s Singles match on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after his third round match win over Leonardo Mayer of Argentina during their third round Men’s Singles match on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after his third round match win over Leonardo Mayer of Argentina during their third round Men’s Singles match on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after his third round match win over Leonardo Mayer of Argentina during their third round Men’s Singles match on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after his third round match win over Leonardo Mayer of Argentina during their third round Men’s Singles match on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after his third round match win over Leonardo Mayer of Argentina during their third round Men’s Singles match on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after his third round match win over Leonardo Mayer of Argentina during their third round Men’s Singles match on Day Six of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 2, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 1, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Ater the match, Rafa said:
All the matches have been very tight – I am very happy.
I had some break points against, in the beginning of the second I don’t know how many I had until I converted the first one.
I was there mentally, and I fought a lot, and from then I think I played better.
Rafa, who needed three hours and 15 minutes to overcame the Argentine, will now face Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov for a spot in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Source: AFP, US Open
Hello fellow Rafa fans. I have been a visitor to this site for 4 years and this is my first post. I love reading what other die-hard Rafa fans have to say (good and bad). I have been attending all Rafa matches at USO 2017 (have also attend the FO for the past 3 years and Indian Wells for the past 2 years, as well as the 2017 AO final where I was gutted for Rafa as he almost had the trophy in his hands) and wanted to share this with you all. I sat very close to uncle Toni during Rafa’s match against Meyer and when asked by Pam Shriver during set 1 what he would say to Rafa, Toni replied that he would say to return serve more aggressively, to step in, especially on the second serve, etc (what the fans here have been saying for the last few years) but that if Rafa doesn’t feel comfortable, and won’t do it, Toni cannot force it. So I feel that some fans here have been a bit harsh with uncle Toni. At the end of the day, the best coaching will not matter if the player is hesitant to execute. However, after the 1st set, Rafa did make the necessary adjustments (moved in considerably on the second serve return) and won the match. I feel so privileged to watch Rafa in person and it is a sight to behold. He NEVER stops trying, even when he is in the lead. I’d like to share a story about the Nadal family. Rafa’s father was the first to take his seat in the box and found the area littered with water bottles and other refuse left behind by the previous occupants (CoCo Vandeweghe’s team). He looked annoyed and got a bag from an attendant and picked up all the garbage so his family could sit in a clean area. Why am I not surprised? And I have never seen the Nadal box behave boorishly, even when Rafa is playing poorly. Speaks volumes about their character. We are being treated to the most glorious era in tennis and I intend to enjoy every minute of it, no matter what Rafa’s results are.
Vamos, Rafa!
Thank you very much for sharing your story with us. We are very happy to know you are following our work and supporting Rafa. Hugs!
Welcome aboard Rafaforever .
Rafa always talks about suffering on Court. I guess to be a Rafa fan, one also has to suffer. Luckily. Rafa was able to play freely once he broke. Mayer also played at a high level in the first set, which should be mentioned. After his match, Rafa was interviewed in the Plaza by ESPN. It was a great scene with thousands of fans waiting to get inside Ashe. They were chanting Rafa’s name and he looked delighted. He is so charming and always humble.
Rafa needs to improve his level. Dolgopolov’s level was unreal. He literally blew troicki away and troicki is not a pushover. Alex can outhit anyone and has troubled Rafa before. He has couple of wins against our champ. He already has defeated Berdych here. So Rafa omit the mistakes you made in your first 3 matches n come out aggressive and plz STAND CLOSE TO THE BASELINE , NOT 20 METRES BEHIND.
Yeahh! 👏🏻 Congratulations Rafa, you did it. Now on to the next round 🎾💪🏼 The best of luck champ 🍀❤️ VAMOOS! 🤗
It was a slow, laboured start but, as usual, Rafa showed true grit and determination to come out on top against Mayer. He can’t afford to get off to a slow start and squander break points against an in form Dolgopolov. Rafa will be forced to play at a quicker tempo, so he’s got to be sharp from the first ball. Good luck Rafa. You WILL do it!
Just watched the match back again and vamos Rafa! Good luck against the Dog, he can be tricky at times as he gave you some problems in the past however our Champ will conquer!
Rafa hung in there soaked it up and then when Mayer’s level started to dip he made his move and thankfully got the job done.
Got to admire his fight and determination. He just keeps on going. Well done and onto the next match, good luck and keep it up!. Vamo’s Rafa.🎾👏
Well done Rafa and you sure deserve a rest now before your next match.
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyAuastraliaXX
Great win- rest up to play Dolgo-good luck🍀💪👍👏❤️
Rafa played great after the break in the second set. take rest and than all the best for the match against Dologopolov. Vamos Rafa!
BRILLIANT VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) ; ) 😉 😉 CONGRATULATIONS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) VERY HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS VAMOS VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 : ) 🙂 🙂 We LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR PLAYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) SPEED & GLIDING & REACHING & SERVING & RETURNING & VOLLEYING & ALL FULL OF HEART & FOCUS ……SO BEAUTIFUL TO WATCH YOUR MAGIC ON THE COURT SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) YOUR COMMANDING PRESENCE & DOMINEERING IS SO CLASSY RAFA NADAL STYLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) AMAZING & INCREDIBLY POWERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) VERY EXCITING MATCH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 🙂 ENJOY EVERYTHING & HAVE A GREAT EVENING CELEBRATING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 ; ) 😉 YOUR FEISTY VICTORY IS DELIGHTFUL ………HAVE FUN & ENJOY WITH YOUR FAMILY & THE TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 😉 🙂 GOOD NIGHT & SWEET DREAMS!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) LOTS OF LOVE & HAPPINESS & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXO
Good going Rafa. Happy for the win and your spot in R4.
Wish I could say that Dolgopolov will be easy but his game depends on how he is feeling. You’ve made it into the second week so I’m looking for an improved Rafa. ALL THE BEST
RAFA ROCKS THE USO
Play shorter points rafa,conserve ur energy…beat the dog to submission campeon
BRAVOOOO!!!!Rafa eres unico…como has superado este partido…tienes una mente prodigioso…sigue adelante !!!!!
Viva gran campeon Nadal