US Open 2022: Rafael Nadal loses Round of 16 to Francis Tiafoe – Grand Slam 2022 monsters streak torn

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

Norway’s Casper Ruud and Carlos Alcaraz, Nadal’s compatriot, could outsmart the veteran in the New York final.

“It’s easy to explain the difference between us today,” Nadal said. “I played a bad game and he played a very good game. I couldn’t stop him. My quality and my understanding of the game was bad.”

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

Tiafoe mimics Roddick

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

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

After the 2019 Australian Open, the great Tiafoe reached the Grand Slam quarter-finals for the second time in his career. At the US Open, he failed in the round of 16 in 2020 and 2021.

“It was definitely one of my best matches,” said Tiafoe. “I gave my best tennis. I can’t believe and understand what just happened.”

(with SID)

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