News Digest

Shock as Nadal falls to Fognini in marathon five set U.S. Open clash

Rafa Nadal crashed out of the U.S. Open, throwing away a two-set lead as he lost to an inspired Fabio Fognini. The two-time U.S. champion went down 3-6 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 in the third round. Clay court specialist Fognini, who was 0-7 on hard courts coming into the tournament, played magnificently from the third set on, picking Nadal apart with groundstroke angles and deft play at the net, where the Italian won 39 of 54 advances. The final set produced spectacular rallies and winners that had the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd on their feet up to the 1:26 AM finish as the combatants traded seven service breaks in a row from the third game of the fifth set before Fognini held to end the three hour 46-minute tilt.

I have to accept that it was not my year and keep fighting till the end of the season to finish in a positive way.

Rafael Nadal

The loss at Flushing Meadows ended eighth-seeded Nadal’s record streak of 10 years in a row with at least one grand slam singles title after the Spaniard fell in the quarters at the Australian and French Opens, and was ousted in the second round at Wimbledon. It was Nadal’s first grand slam loss after winning the first two sets of a match.

It was very tough. To do it against Rafa, two sets down - it was an incredible match.

World No.32 Fabio Fognini