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
Sick. Serving for the match and get broken to love? Come on Rafa no more drama!
Khachanov will not go away without a fight. Whatever the outcome of this match, he has my respect.
Close this out Rafa!
I agree Mac. A very mature demeanour too.
Yes, Khachanov doesn’t loook phased at all. He did say in his interview, just before coming on to court, that he would not change anything in his game. A mark of confidence.
Bollocks
That’s right Susie. When has this happened before with Rafa being broken to love while serving out a match?
He needs to avoid a fifth set at all costs.
I can hardly breath. O please don’t take it to fifth set
Not over yett
Cmon rafa – serve it out. Please!
Not sure but Rafa looks as if he’s in pain. Hope not!!!
I thought he looked tired. I hope its not pain!!
Not sure if rafa has cranked it up or if karen has gone off the boil but a break is a break. Well done Rafa
Karen has definitely gone off the boil Susan. But somehow Rafa is playing more assertive.
Ok finally I have a feeling. This match is gonna end on a good note
WOO!! Rafa breaks in the fourth. Now normal service has resumed! Hold four times now Rafa.
Someone pass me a brandy and coke. My nerves are in tatters! 😳😳😳
Want some ice and lime Lorna? :):)
I’ll be having drinks with a friend in about 30 minutes, so Rafa needs to finish this up soonest so I can pry myself away from the TV!
Meanwhile, Shapovalov has taken Anderson to a 5th set. I’m rooting for him now.
Cheers Mac! Have a good one 🍷🍸🍺
This is hard! But he’s not champion for nothing – you can still break him, Rafa!
Omg – what a point to win the 3rd set. This is good stuff but nerve wracking too.
OK. I have developed a headache. What a great play to end the third set! Awesome!
Rafa still not in the clear. He needs to clean up his game in the fourth set.
Phew
Thank you God Almighty
Rafa can’t close it out, so Khachanov wants to help him:) Double fault for another set point to Rafa!
Ahhh Rafael!!
COME ON RAFA! CLOSE IT OUT!!!
Lovely, simply lovely to bring up set point in the tie break.
C’ mon Rafa u can do it💪