“It’s a matter of survival, of following a process, knowing what is present and humbly accepting it,” he said. Rafael Nadal in Arthur Ashe Stadiumonly after sealing his pass to the second round, with more difficulty than anyone could have imagined.
He needed four sets, after losing the first, three hours and seven minutes of play, to defeat the surprising Australian. Rinky Hijikatawhich provided more level than the equivalent of a 21-year-old Grand Slam rookie, playing only his fourth match on the major professional circuit and ranked 198th in the world ranking.
Nadal always had a few gears to deal with, and printed more than he wanted to win 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 and 6-3 in 3h.07′. On Thursday he will meet again, in the second round, with an old enemy, executioner in 2015 in these parts, the Italian. Fabio Fogni. This is his seventeenth match, with 13-4 for the Spaniard in a transalpine, 35 years old and number 60, against the Russian. Aslan Karatsev: 1-6, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 and 6-4 in 3h.34′.
Under a roof covered from the second round by the threat of rain, drenched in sweat, Nadal celebrated the classification with much fanfare. Responding to his team, this time completely from scratch, with gestures of satisfaction and release. Yes, he had to work harder than expected against a tough opponent, but he also appreciated where he came from.
From an injury to the stomach, delicate. And it’s his return to New York since he won his fourth crown in 2019. His words of caution have to do with the unknowns he’ll take out of the way about the response of the scarred area and the level which he can give to his tennis.
Rafa Nadal is always cautious. It seems to have become more beautiful. Hijikata was brave and with a serve and net tennis he got the prize of a 6-4 against a rather flat Balearic, who lacked energy.
He soon woke up with a 3-0 run, taking command of operations with deeper and more intense shots. Once again Nadal’s ability to adapt to the demands of the opponent using the tools he had before.
At 36 years oldwith the option of reaching world number one, which would be an extra prize for a 23rd Grand Slam, is ready to face whatever comes. Hijikata’s fight was off the script, even saving four balls before giving up, but he faced it with a desire to improve, until he overcame an opponent with very fast legs, with a sense of tennis and very determined.
Nadal remains undefeated in this year’s Grand Slam, 20-0. He once again enjoyed the electric atmosphere of the night shift in New York, which he missed in 2020 due to calendar changes due to covid and in 2021 due to left foot pain.
He returned, wanting to continue to leave his mark. The beginning is complicated, but the goal is to pass as it was.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
