After getting their first-rounders in under the Arthur Ashe roof, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will continue their U.S. Open campaigns when second-round action resumes on Thursday. Nadal has a date with Taro Daniel, while Federer is going up against Mikhail Youzhny.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. Taro Daniel
Nadal began his bid for a third U.S. Open title on Tuesday, when he got off to a slow start against Dusan Lajovic but recovered from an early break down in the first set and eventually cruised 7-6(6), 6-2, 6-2. Thus continued a stellar 2017 campaign, highlighted by a 10th French Open triumph and a return to the world No. 1 ranking (Nadal regained it two weeks ago following the Cincinnati Masters). The top-seeded Spaniard is 50-9 this season, but he bowed out early at Wimbledon to Gilles Muller and did not play great in either Montreal (lost to Denis Shapovalov) or Cincinnati (lost to Nick Kyrgios), so the jury is currently out on his form away from clay.
Up next for Nadal on Thursday is a first-ever meeting with Daniel. The world No. 121 from Japan took a much more circuitous route to the last 64, requiring five sets to outlast Tommy Paul 6-1, 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 on Wednesday. Because of Tuesday’s rainout on all courts other than Ashe, Daniel also has one less day than his opponent with which to recover. The 24-year-old is now 4-8 at the ATP level this season and 3-7 lifetime in the main draws of Grand Slams. A massive step up in competition should bring about a swift end to Daniel’s fortnight.
Pick: Nadal in 3 losing 8-10 games
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Mikhail Youzhny vs. (2) Roger Federer
Federer and Youzhny will be facing each other for the 17th time in their careers on Thursday. This is one of the most lopsided matchups on tour, as Federer is sporting a perfect 16-0 record in the head-to-head series. He is also 37-4 in total sets at Youzhny’s expense, including 12-1 at Grand Slams. The U.S. Open is the only major at which the two veterans have never squared off, and they have not met at all since February of 2015 in Dubai. Federer is 14-1 in total sets against the Russian dating back to the second set of a 2011 Wimbledon encounter, won by the Swiss 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Whereas the 36-year-old did not donate a single set on the way to capturing an eighth Wimbledon title last month, things look like they could be more difficult for him in New York. Federer struggled with a back issue in a recent Montreal final loss to Alexander Zverev and he has already dropped two sets at the U.S. Open, needing five to fight past Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 on Tuesday night. Youzhny benefited from a favorable draw against Blaz Kavcic and took care of business 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 on Wednesday afternoon. The 35-year-old is still a dreadful 9-18 this season and toiling away at No. 101 in the rankings. Federer may not be 100 percent, but if he is even close to full stretch he will likely make mincemeat out of Youzhny yet again.
Pick: Federer in 3 losing 8-10 games
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Nadal CC Backhand has been consistently beautiful.
Everything else……
Daniel isn’t even playing that good.
Nadal is just unable to finish points or convert BP.
Wake up Rafa 🙁
yep. Even though CC backhand is strong, the predictability is reducing its effect. Daniel is pinned in his forehand corner to anticipate and returns with CC forehands until he gets an opening to attack Rafa’s forehand.
That was a confident inside-out forehand winner to win the game. He needs to improve his inside-out forehand RIGHT NOW or he will find himself down 2 sets to love.
COME ON RAFA!
That’s what I see. Beautiful form from Rafa — but his mind isn’t all there – 100%
He shouldn’t have lost the first set. That gave Daniel too much hope.
HUGE DTL forehand winner. Finally he takes advantage of the court opened up by his CC backhand. 0-15
Nadal with get rid of him in another 90 minutes.
Very poor. I am gutted.
That CC backhand SLICE stayed very low. 0-30!
Well-placed serve from Daniel, 15-30
All Rafa needs is to win this second set and the order will be restored! He will immediately start hitting more consistently and making less UEs.
Vamos Champ!
I hope so , Natashao. Just can’t be 100% certain these days with Rafa. His forehand can lose consistency midway through sets for no reason :/
Anyway, let’s be optimistic! Vamos Rafa! He has surely played better to turn this around here.
Marvellous court coverage followed by good net coverage. BP Rafa
Lol, love it. Break now Rafa!
WHAT A GET FROM RAFA TO GET A BP!
and a beautiful DTL to convert! Finally, Rafa’s starting to come to life!
Daniel drills his backhand CC , Rafa’s waiting and he returns with a BOOMING DTL forehand winner! vamos!
Don’t throw in too many kickers to Daniel’s backhand on the deuce court, Rafa. He is reading those well now.
Yes! Go Rafa! Do it know!
Vamos!
Rafa is def. getting a bit more aggressive and dictating play right now.
Finally!!!
Rafa needs more of those strong serving games. Time to cruise. Bring it home, Rafa!
Another 75 minutes to go for game set match.
finally a good DTL BH
RIDICULOUS forehand from Rafa in that rally to seal the game. 1-1
The quality of tennis is rising.
Them some muscular Forehands! Rafa.
Gradually but surely tightening the screws. LET THIS CONTINUE, Rafa.