JOIN USCramping Nadal enters round four
The scorching conditions have been a key factor in the 18 retirements so far at the final major of the season, and for a brief moment, it appeared as if the defending men's champion would join them in an event that has become a survival of the fittest.
Italy's Flavia Pennetta was so overcome by the humidity that she began dry retching during her match against China's Peng Shuai while Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro, the 2009 champion, bowed out after wilting in the sun.
As Australia's Sam Stosur battled to victory in another epic encounter, Britain's Andy Murray enjoyed his best performance of the tournament to defeat Spain's Feliciano Lopez 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in a night match, two days after he was pushed to five sets.
There was no sign of what was to come from Nadal as the Spanish second seed eased his way past David Nalbandian 7-6, 6-1, 7-5, although the pair played at the hottest part of the day and were soaked in sweat almost as soon as they started.
By his own lofty standards, it was not a great performance but Nadal still overcame an experienced and streetwise opponent and has yet to drop a set at Flushing Meadows this year. His title defence remains on track but Nadal will be well aware that improvement is needed. His serve, which provided the foundation for his win last year,
remains shaky and he is still struggling to regain his confidence after losing the Wimbledon final to Novak Djokovic.
“I think I have played better every day,” Nadal said at his news conference. “Today, for moments, I played, in my opinion, at a very, very positive level, very high level.” Moments later, Nadal suddenly stopped talking, then covered his face with his hands and slumped to the floor.
Journalists were ordered to leave the room and the lights were turned down as medical staff were called to treat the Spaniard, who slid from his chair on to the floor. He was obscured by a desk but closed circuit television showed a trainer massaging his right leg while another man gave Nadal ice and fluids. The Spaniard remained on the carpet for about 10 minutes before he was eventually helped to his feet. He returned to the conference room shortly after to explain what happened, smiling and playing down the incident.
“I just have cramping in my leg. That's all,” he said. “I just have cramping in front and behind. That's why tt was so painful. That's all.” Nadal's next opponent is Gilles Muller of Luxembourg, who beat Russia's Igor Kunitsyn 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.
Del Potro lost 4-6, 7-6, 6-2, 7-6 to Frenchman Gilles Simon on a bad day for Argentina. As
well as Nalbandian and Del Potro, Juan Ignacio Chela also departed, losing to American wildcard Donald Young 7-5, 6-4, 6-3. Young will face Murray, who had a spring in his step after a straightforward win on the Arthur Ashe stadium.
Andy Roddick, the 2003 champion, sailed through with a 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 victory over Julien Benneteau of France, ensuring the US will have four men in the last 16, joining Mardy Fish, who won his third round on Saturday, and the big-serving John Isner, who beat yet another local, Alex Bogomolov Jr, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4.