Top-seeded Rafael Nadal reminded everyone yesterday why he has never won a U.S. Open.
Nadal’s best quest for a U.S. Open title got off to a shaky start, as he already looked tired and nothing like the raging bulldog he has been since spring.
Showing his vulnerability at Flushing Meadows, Nadal needed three hours and two tiebreakers to dispose of 132nd-ranked German qualifier Bjorn Phau, 7-6 (4), 6-3, 7-6 (4) in his first-round match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Because Nadal’s body has broken down at Flushing Meadows in the past, it was not a good sign he was unable to ever break the German’s spirit. Phau fought him right down to the final point when he closed from 5-1 to 5-4 in the third-set tiebreaker.
“I didn’t play with normal intensity,” Nadal admitted. “I helped him a little by playing to this level.”
Nadal has played a ton of tennis since the French Open, capping it with his gold medal at the Beijing Olympics and his flight back to the States.
“The toughest thing is mentally,” Nadal said. “I’m a little bit more tired than usually, yes, but this is the U.S. Open so I have to try my best.”
Four-time defending champ Roger Federer, who opens play tonight, may be breathing easier today. Federer said before the event began it would be interesting to see how Nadal handles the increased pressure and his new No. 1 ranking. But, technically, Nadal just doesn’t have the same timing on these fast Decoturf courts, resulting in his failure to ever get past the Open quarterfinals.
Most of the heart, grit, rifle backhand winners and spectacular court coverage – Nadal trademarks – were displayed by his opponent. Nadal never commanded, even though Phau got in just 49-percent of his first serves.
Nadal was presented yesterday with a small trophy for being the top point-getter in the Open hardcourt series, making him eligible for a $1 million bonus if he wins the Open.
Asked why he has never won the big trophy here before, Nadal said: “It’s the tough part of the season. It’s the last. I didn’t play very well here in the last [few] years.”
Nadal looked tight at times while the 5-foot-9 Phau chased down a ton of balls, racing from net to baseline for shots on more than a few occasions.
“I’m not that tall so I have to cover a lot of ground and run a lot,” Phau said. “I made a lot of miles today.”
In the third set, Phau seemed to get stronger while Nadal weakened, hitting 15 unforced errors.
Later in the third set, Phau saved three break points to keep the match alive.
With Nadal serving for the match at 5-4, the lefty Spaniard stalled. Phau ripped a forehand into a net-charging Nadal to post a break point. Then a nervous Nadal served his second double-fault in the match, knotting the set at 5 and ultimately spawning a tiebreaker.
Earlier in the set, Phau had the large Ashe crowd on its feet with a diving backhand volley after which he rose from the turf, raced back to the baseline to whip back another Nadal shot. Phau didn’t win the point, but earned the fans’ respect with a rousing standing ovation.
“I like to play points like that,” said Phau.
Nadal said he’s not concerned the three hours will take their toll.
“I won in three sets,” Nadal said. “Win in three sets is always a good result.”