What Rafael Nadal’s Loss to Nick Kyrgios Means for US Open

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: July 1, 2014

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Rafael Nadal tried. He scratched, clawed, dove and stretched himself to the very limitations of what a body can hold. It just wasn't enough to earn a second Grand Slam this season.

Nick Kyrgios defeated Nadal 7-6, 5-7, 7-6, 6-3 on Tuesday in a result that will undoubtedly blast the 2014 Wimbledon brackets wide open. 

Nadal came into Wimbledon a two-time champion (2008, 2010), but has actually had less success at the three other Grand Slams (five titles) as he's had on the clay at the French Open (nine titles). Coming off another triumph at Roland Garros, Nadal was hoping to build on that performance and earn another Grand Slam this season. 

But it will have to wait until the U.S. Open.

Djokovic in particular is very clearly challenging Nadal's status as the world's best player. The Serb's Italian Open win was his fourth straight over Nadal, though Nadal had his revenge at the French Open final, gutting out the win in a grueling match that pushed both men to their limits.

At the very least, Nadal's top ranking is in big-time danger as the tennis world heads back into the hard-court season. Nadal has won only two U.S. Open titles in his career, in 2010 and 2013. Still, as the defending champion, he'll be tough to beat in New York.



As Nadal's career has gone along, grass surfaces have increasingly become a bugaboo. Before knee injuries began slowly sapping away his lateral quickness—and it is slight—Nadal was able to overcome his natural struggles. He managed five straight Wimbledon finals appearances from 2006 to 2011, excluding a 2009 break due to injury.

It was instead the Australian and U.S. Opens that left him frustrated year after year. But as he nibbles ever closer to age 30, that script has been flipped. Nadal has reached the final in each of his last three U.S. Open appearances, winning in 2013. He's gone to the Aussie final in ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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