(Reuters) – Three-times champion Rafa Nadal got a walkover into the third round of the U.S. Open after Australian wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis withdrew from their evening match on Thursday.
Kokkinakis, whose clash with the Spanish second seed was scheduled to close out the Thursday night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium, withdrew with a right shoulder injury, tournament organizers said in a statement.
The 23-year-old Australian, who has struggled badly with injury in recent years, beat Bulgarian qualifier Ilya Ivashka in his opening match this week and was seeking his first appearance in the U.S. Open third round.
Rafa will now face South Korean Chung Hyeon, who saved a match point in a massive 1-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(4) comeback over No. 32 seed Fernando Verdasco.
Source: Reuters
GRANDE Y GENIAL SIEMPRE RFAEL NADAL…FUERZA Y ADELANTE SIEMPRE EL MAS GRANDE DEL TENIS MUNDIAL DE LAS 2 ULTIMAS DECADAS BRAVO…RAFAEL NADAL…
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Get well soon Thanasi❤️
I am waiting patiently to see you back on court on Saturday Rafa🤗
To bad I was ready to watch you play tennis.good luck Rafa vamosssssssssssss all the way you can do it 🇺🇸💪🎾😘❤️🇺🇸💪🎾😘❤️🇺🇸💪🎾😘❤️🇺🇸💪🎾😘❤️🇺🇸💪🎾😘❤️🇺🇸💪🎾😘👍
Yes I got such a shock as well . I thought Rafa was injured . Thank god he is ok . Sorry to hear that Thanasi is injured. Get well soon .
Good Luck And Vamos RAFA!
Injury seems to hamper the progress of so many players these days. It’s such a shame for Thanasi whose professional career has been dogged by injury . I’m hoping he gets back on track very soon. Take advantage of the extra off-court time you have, Rafa and all the best for a straight sets victory against Chung Hyeon.
Sad for Kokkinakis, injuries are always bad. Get well soon.
All the best for the next match. Vamos Rafa <3
So very sad for Thanasi, he was just coming good after all his injuries. As an Aussie it’s epseciaally sad for me…as a Rafa fan, you got this next round Rafa.
Exactly the same for me, my heart sank for a moment. So glad all is well with Rafa. Wishing a speedy recovery for Koke.
I’ve got to go to work this morning so couldn’t stay up … so I thought I’d get up at 5 o’clock and watch the replay on Amazon Prime, and I completely panicked when it said “match cancelled”! Sorry that Kokkinakis is injured – he has such bad luck with injuries.
Geezzzz, I too would have panicked. All’s well that ends well.
I agree. Sorry for Kokkinakis. Very glad Rafa is well.
Me too! I woke up and saw no match, thought the worst, then breathed a sigh of relief that Rafa hadn’t pulled out.
Get well soon Kokk.