Top seed and defending champion Rafael Nadal continues his US Open campaign as he takes on 22-year-old Karen Khachanov for a place in the fourth round.
Date: Friday, 31 August 2018
Match time: Around 1.30 PM EDT – New York, Montreal / 6.30 PM BST – United Kingdom / 7.30 PM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / Saturday 3.30 AM AEDT – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa holds a lifetime 4-0 advantage over the 6-foot-6 Russian. The pair played a tight match just weeks ago in Toronto, with our champ emerging the victor 7-6, 6-4.
| Year | Event | Surface | RND | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Canada Canada |
Outdoor Hard | SF | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2018 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo Monaco |
Outdoor Clay | R16 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2017 | Beijing China |
Outdoor Hard | R16 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2017 | Wimbledon Great Britain |
Outdoor Grass | R32 | Rafael Nadal |
Rafa on playing Khachanov:
He’s a great opponent. He’s a great player. Young, strong, I played against him in Toronto three weeks ago. It was a tough one.
I’m excited to play that match and I hope it will be a good one. I need to play well to try to be through and that’s what I’m looking for.
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Source: ATP World Tour
Oh no the tape – something I haven’t seen for a long time. Rafa has had to do a lot of running in that 1st set. Like you Susie, I hope it’s a precautionary measure and that he is not hindered physically and psychologically. He seems to be moving ok so far in this 2nd set 🤞🏽.
Commentators said that no way can he be injured due to the way rafa is moving which is good news Lorna
Don’t know why but ESPN showing Serena’s coach interview rather than Rafa’s match 🙄
Well its the 1st set he’s ever taken off rafa and lets hope its the last in this match at least. Oh no. Rafa is having tape put on his knee. Lets hope its a precaution and nothing serious. I can put my faith in rafa in a best of 5
Oh Lord! I m worried , super anxious 😩
Relax Rafan – its early days. Im sure all will be well.
Didn’t look like anything serious Susie. I hope it’s nothing to worry about.
Lets hope Mac
Khachanov is playing lights out. He’s playing 120% right now.
But Rafa seems to be playing the long game. Sloppy service games cost him the first set. Rafa needs to clean up his own service games. Break opportunities will present themselves in due course.
Stay sharp champ!
😒 never mind! It’s only the first set
No no no
Oh no – rafa broken again and now karen serving for the set. Cmon rafa – break back for the tie break
Very solid match so far! Hope Karen can not maintain this level for too long though, hoping runs out of gas soon. Vamos💪
Rafa got broken in his second service game. Get it together champ!
Khachanov looks very solid on serve.
Early days yet! Thanks Margo, I’m sure I’ll be smiling in a few hours:)
Looking forward to this match – could make for some excellent tennis from both men. Apart from all the valid complaints about amazon prime – I have to say that my picture quality is excellent – really clear and sharp. And there are no adverts during change overs which I’m glad about. Now if they can sort out their full match replays – that really would be something
Rafa has this one too.🎾💪
The air is nice and cool with a lot less humidity, overcast skies and some gusts of wind. Rain is not expected until late tonight. Thank you Mother Nature.
RAFA ROCKS
Good luck today in your match Rafa! My week has been very terrible and looking forward to these matches has been helping me get through it.
Khachanov is one of those guys who will hit the ball extremely hard every shot. And he’s not lost a set yet! So, someone has to lose some sets today!! Make sure it’s him Rafa:):)
Sorry to hear you’ve had a terrible week Mac. Rafa’s gonna put a smile 🤗 on your face today.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
VAMOS RAFA keep on determinant You look good <3 good luck
All good wishes to a great sports person who demonstrates all that is good in being a role model both as a person and player. Another step to day to retain your US Open, Go Rafa
Good luck and Vamos Rafa <3
RAFA ROCKS
Vamos Rafa.Not alone are you the best athlete at the US Open.You are a sportsman par excellance.Only one way to go.Onwards and Upwards.🎾🍀🇪🇸 sending you positive vibes.
Best of luck for third round Rafa! Show us your magic. Vamos💪
Good Luck And Vamos Rafa! Focus on your service and I am sure you will be the Winner..,.
Mother Nature may be looking out for Rafa. The weather is supposed to be much cooler on Friday [69-76F] and showers are expected. Rain may be a good thing as we are experiencing poor air quality in NY.
I hope Margo is not trying to jinx Nadal as I have serious doubts s(he) is a fan of his. The most recent Margo comments on umpire warning against Nadal have once again contributed to those doubts. To my knowledge no one else has justified the behaviour of the umpire, the most critical having only questioned it.
Rafa rocks comments do not eliminate bad vibes.