US Open 2022: Rafael Nadal loses round of 16 against Frances Tiafoe – monster series at Grand Slams 2022 torn

From the dream of the 23rd Grand Slam title: Rafael Nadal failed in the round of 16 of the US Open. The 4: 6, 6: 4, 4: 6, 3: 6 defeat against the American Frances Tiafoe also puts a question mark over the Spaniard’s possible jump to the top of the world rankings.

The Norwegian Casper Ruud and Nadal’s compatriot Carlos Alcaraz could outperform the veteran with a final in New York.

“The difference between us today is easy to explain,” said Nadal: “I played a bad match and he played a very good one. I wasn’t able to push him back. The quality and my understanding of the game were bad.”

Nadal, who won the title in Melbourne and Paris this year, must also accept the end of his strong streak after 22 successful games at majors this year. In Wimbledon, he was unable to compete in his semi-final match due to an abdominal muscle injury.

Tiafoe emulates Roddick

Between Wimbledon and the US Open, Nadal only competed at the Masters in Cincinnati – and failed there directly at the later surprise winner Borna Coric (6: 7, 6: 4, 3: 6).

In the all-time Grand Slam leaderboard, Nadal continues to rank with 22 trophies ahead of Serbian Novak Djokovic (21 major titles) and Swiss Roger Federer (20). In 2022 Nadal has 38: 5 wins. In addition to the two Grand Slams, the 36-year-old had won the tournaments in Melbourne and Acapulco and reached the final at the Masters in Indian Wells.

After 2019 at the Australian Open, the great Tiafoe made it into the last eight of a Grand Slam for the second time in his career. At the US Open he failed in the round of 16 in 2020 and 2021.

“It was one of my best games, for sure. I showed my best tennis,” said Tiafoe: “I can’t really believe and understand what just happened.”

(with SID)

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