US Open: Rafael Nadal, Fabio Fognini and the memories of 2015
Rafael Nadal meets Fabio Fognini in the second round of the US Open. The Spaniard has already played against the Italian in New York - and gave them a 2-0 set lead.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit:
Sep 01, 2022, 08:00 am
The draw was undoubtedly good for Rafael Nadal at this year's US Open. The fact that Fabio Fognini is now waiting in the second round should not be to the liking of the 22-time Grand Slam winner. After all, the Italian was able to win four of the 17 direct encounters, but much more important is the fact that, unlike many other opponents, Fognini does not freeze in awe of Nadal.
Of course, this is also due to the fact that the 35-year-old basically has the weapons to hurt Nadal every day of the year. The spotlessly clean backhand paired with a fine touch and the strong return have already caused major problems for the Spaniard in the past. So also in the third round of the US Open 2015.
Unwelcome premiere for Nadal
Nadal initially seemed to have everything under control at Arthur Ashe Stadium and won the first two sets relatively clearly, but then Fognini really turned it up and managed to win the game 3: 6, 4: 6, 6: 4, 6: 3 and win 6:4. It was the first Grand Slam match that Nadal lost after a 2-0 set lead.
Of course, it is also true that Nadal played what was probably the worst season of his career in 2015 and accordingly came to New York with little self-confidence. Seven years later, however, after winning two Grand Slam titles, the situation looks significantly different.
Nadal not in top form yet
At the US Open, Nadal was still looking for his form in the first round in the four-set win over Rinky Hijikata, but due to the abdominal muscle injury suffered in Wimbledon, that was completely normal: "It's always the same story: things aren't perfect if you're not competes a lot or you come back from an injury. You have to be humble enough to go through that process and accept that you have to fight and that you will suffer."
And Fognini? He asserted himself against Aslan Karatsev at the start of the US Open 2022 in five tight rounds - and caught up a 0: 2 set deficit. Maybe a good omen for the world number 60. from Sanremo.
Here is the individual tableau at the US Open
nycmap