World No. 2 Rafael Nadal has booked his spot in the fourth round of the US Open following a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Hyeon Chung on Saturday.
The three-time champion took control of the match when he broke the South Korean’s serve in the first set to grab a 4-2 lead and never looked back on a sunsoaked Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
Rafa had been on court for just over two hours prior to his third round match after defeating John Millman in straight sets on Tuesday before getting a walkover into the third round when Thanasi Kokkinakis withdrew.
The second seeded Spaniard, who has been hampered by troublesome knees throughout his career, did not wear his usual tape on his legs during the match.
Rafa on opponent Chung Hyeon: “When he is healthy he showed to everyone how good he is, playing the semi-finals in Australia. He had injuries and I know by personal experience how tough it is. I am very happy for him. He went from the qualifier and won two matches in five sets, I wish him a healthy career and all the best.”
On his injuries: “Tape is not working anymore… I am happy to be playing on hard court. I am trying to play a little bit more aggressive, a little bit less than before as everyone can see I missed Miami for an injury and I was sad because I want to play everywhere but I am not 25 anymore.
“Here I am, happy to be in the fourth round. This court is unique, it’s so special the energy the crowd brings to this scenario.
“You never know what is better or worse, I have a tough opponent in front of me – Marin Cilic or John Isner – I can’t think further than this. I think day by day.”
On his purple outfit: “It took me a lot of hours to pick… joking, we choose the colours but for one year and a half in advance! By the time the tournament arrives I already forget what I chose. I like happy colours.”
Rafa will play either former US Open champion Marin Cilic or No. 14 seed John Isner in the fourth round.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain enters the court prior to his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain enters the court prior to his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain enters the court prior to his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain enters the court prior to his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a forehand against Hyeon Chung of South Korea in the third round on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a forehand against Hyeon Chung of South Korea in the third round on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a forehand against Hyeon Chung of South Korea in the third round on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on during his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
2019 US Open Tennis Tournament- Day Six. Rafael Nadal of Spain during his match against Hyeon Chung of Korea in the Men’s Singles round three match on Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2019 US Open Tennis Tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31st, 2019 in Flushing, Queens, New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
2019 US Open Tennis Tournament- Day Six. Winner Rafael Nadal of Spainis congratulated by Hyeon Chung of Korea in the Men’s Singles round three match on Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2019 US Open Tennis Tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31st, 2019 in Flushing, Queens, New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his Men’s Singles third round match against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on day six of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victory over Hyeon Chung of South Korea in the third round on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain hits autographed balls into the crowd after his victory over Hyeon Chung of South Korea in the third round on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victory over Hyeon Chung of South Korea in the third round on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain hits autographed balls into the crowd after his victory over Hyeon Chung of South Korea in the third round on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain hits autographed balls into the crowd after his victory over Hyeon Chung of South Korea in the third round on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain hits autographed balls into the crowd after his victory over Hyeon Chung of South Korea in the third round on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
Sources: Reuters, BBC
Love the purple. Makes Rafa stand out as always. Wanted so much to see Rafa and Rodger live in South Africa in 2020. Will now watch it rather on TV as the price for the event is outrageous. Starting at R2500.00 a ticket.
Thrilled I got to see courtesy of :
tennisfeverofficial
Ho Rafa * flatten Marin ..
Where was Mery during R3 Chung match? The rest of his family and team was in his box.
Yes it was so disappointing that Mery wasn’t there. We love her and missed seeing her very much. Hope she didn’t pick up a virus or fly back to Spain for some reason. She is pure class unlike some other young women who spend their time stripping off on Instagram. Hope to see her again soon especially at the USO final when Rafa wins the trophy.
Great selection of photographs . Rafa moving nicely through the tournament, getting his victories on 3 sets. Love the purple on him.
Rafa hasn’t worn tape in his knees for some time . Wishing him to stay healthy and fit .
He will defeat Cilic .
Kyrgios out and now Monfils v
Rublev.
Go Rafa , millions with you all the way ☘️🌟
Cilic next. “Will be a tough one.” — anticipating the Rafa quote 🙂
I am very happy 😃 today god bless you always king 🤴 tennis 🎾
Adelante Rafa.. Como siempre tan competitivo… SIEMPRE CONTIGO RAFA
Great job Rafa,keep it going ,Good Luck !!!!!
You were on fire tonight against Chung you Rafa are a force to be reckoned with. Vamos my Champ.
Great job Rafa👏
Love your outfits, beautiful color. Looking forward to your next match against Isner or Cilic, good luck🍀
Vamos RAFA!!❤️
Excelente Rafa.
Great Performance today…
4 to go champ
Brought your A game once again.
Vamos Rafa #19 is coming
Well done champ. Next round Isner or Cilic..Go go for it😉
Vamos Rafa <3
Congratulations on another straight sets win, Rafa!
Way to go Rafa keep on playing this way you are playing so awesome its great to see you feeling so well and watching you play lights out tennis
Yes i am proud of you Rafa keepup the good work you are sure to win the 2019 USO.