(New York) Rafael Nadal, 3e world, gave up a set to the Australian Rinky Hijikata (198e and guest) before clearly taking the upper hand and qualifying with authority 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 for the 2e round of the United States Open.
Posted at 11:00 p.m.
“I’m very happy to be here, I thought I’d never come back…” he told the crowd.
Between COVID-19 and injuries, the 36-year-old Spaniard hasn’t played in New York since winning there on the 19the of his 22 Grand Slam titles in 2019.
After his unbearable foot pain, he injured his abdominals at Wimbledon where he was forced to withdraw before his semi-final against Nick Kyrgios.
“I haven’t played much in the last fifty days, just one game,” he said of his defeat as soon as he entered the match in Cincinnati.
But he seemed physically ready on Tuesday in New York, and he will face the Italian Fabio Fognini (60e) for a place in the third round.
In total, Nadal has won the US Major four times.
Faced with Hijikata, who boldly played his chance from the start on the yet very impressive and very noisy Arthur-Ashe court, the Mallorcan let the storm pass in the first set.
Then he took control of the game, thanks in particular to his devastating forehand which often hit the mark along the line.
He also concluded the game on his fifth match point on one of these extraordinary forehands at the end of the race.