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  • Nadal moves into fourth round of U.S. Open

    8/31/08 2:25 PM | Ricky Dimon
    - Rafael Nadal takes out Viktor Troicki on Saturday afternoon in the third round of the U.S. Open. He is joined in the fourth round by Sam Querrey and Gael Monfils, in addition to Mardy Fish.

    Sam Querrey d. Ivo Karlovic 7-6(5), 7-6(5), 6-2

    The first two sets went exactly as expected. Neither the 6'6'' Querrey nor the 6'10'' Karlovic could muster a single break of serve as tiebreakers were needed to decide things. Both times it was the American who came through in the clutch. Great serving keyed Querrey's first-set win, while a costly Karlovic double-fault helped give the American set two. After that Karlovic went away mentally as his opponent picked up steam. Querrey broke twice in the third frame of play, rolling to victory. He fired 20 aces and just 13 unforced errors in the entire match. Querrey will face Rafael Nadal for a spot in the quarterfinals.

    Querrey could not be happier to be in is first 4th round at a major.


    Querrey has reached two goals this season and now looks for Australian Open seeding in January.

    Querrey says he is maturing as a player.


    Rafael Nadal d. Viktor Troicki 6-4, 6-3, 6-0

    This one really was closer than it seemed. Troicki, the runner-up two weeks ago in Washington, went neck-and-neck with Nadal until 5-4 in the first as neither player could seize a break. That's when the world No. 1 pounced and Troicki tightened up just a little bit to hand Nadal the set. The Serb, however, came out firing in set two and surged to a 3-1 lead. Spectacular points took place throughout the second, and while Nadal stormed back to win the next five games, he had to earn everything he got. It was all academic after the Spaniard has a two-set lead, and he cruised from there.

    Nadal is ready for the challenge of winning to go into second week of the Grand Slam.

    Nadal has no complaints about another solid victory.


    Gael Monfils d. David Nalbandian 6-3, 6-4, 6-2

    Monfils, who handled Nalbandian 6-4, 6-4 at the Olympics, carved up the Argentine for the second time in two weeks on Saturday afternoon. Nalbandian simply had no answer for his opponent's speed and he could not keep enough balls in play to last through any kind of grueling match. This one, of course, was far from taxing as the Frenchmain sailed through to the fourth round in three. Nalbandian served at a mere 44 percent clip and sprayed 41 unforced errors to aide Monfils' efforts. The No. 32 played solid tennis, but all he really had to do was play smart tennis and make Nalbandian work a little bit, and that's exactly what Monfils did. He will meet Mardy Fish on Monday.

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Comments

Its not as smooth sailing on the second set. That's what makes it all sooooo human for RAFA. After his opponent leads him by 3 games, his mental agility and intelligent approach to the game goes on a rebound. Talk about mental toughness and consistency! On top of this, notice how RAFA gives way to his opponent after a game for a break. He stays by the net to allow TROIK to get to his seat first - such a gentleman he is. His attitude remains unchanged, despite reaching the numero uno rank. Truly deserving of a Great Champion.

RAFBFF , 8/31/08 3:49 PM


This is the best about Rafa- not letting the no. 1 ranking go to his head like some people. No need to worry about 2009, about olympics before it starts, about wearing flashy cardigans, etc. Just remaining humble, a gentleman and a true champion; not forgetting where he came from and what really matters in life beyond tennis.

homos , 9/1/08 2:26 AM


well said homos. This young man has already been No.2 since the age of 19 and for a record no. of weeks without ever letting it turn his head. There is no way being No.1 will change him - nor will he be affected when he is loses that ranking. He is what great champions are made of and a true sportsman in every sense of the word.

ed251137 , 9/1/08 7:25 AM


i notice people some people here are more interested in writing off federer.....if anyone's got probelms with the cardigan Nike will sort them out..not roger......i agree to all that is being said about rafa...but guys get life...federer is just as good as nadal..incase you dont know he always offers water or whatever the drink is to his oppoenet before taking it himself..please give him a break..they are both great champions..dont insult anyone's professional grace here....its just that both have different approaches....just because nadal dosent speak about 2009 OR USO before dosent mean he dosent think about it..he's a top ranked player and all top ranked players have to think about all this....if you guys are indicating that roger is not true sportsman please..he is..u cant change that....even after losing the no1 he has double the pressure nadal has...show some respect.you dont have to like him to repect him....all players on ATP tour say he's the most humble guy..he is what he is..he says what he feels no matter how people interpret that..its a part of his personality..please..both roger and rafa are great champions and we are blessed to have them

janhavi , 9/1/08 7:11 PM


i also notice people herer are more interested in highlighting the small negative points of one player ...making a big deal of it just to glorify their favourite player..you guys here are rafa fan..so lets talk from his view point..do you guys seriously think rafa will like his fans giving biased judgements? everytime..for every article there has to be something negative and undesireable and something totally not required coming up....no matter how much you try to project roger or rafa( roger in this case) as arrogant..pretentious ..whtever..the truth does not change guys...

janhavi , 9/1/08 7:22 PM


Oh look 2 big essays - who needs to get a life than? Now an expert on rafa's thoughts, this is getting interesting by the day. And globally attacking all rafa fans now. Everyone who has a reason not to give roger god-like status like you do must be a rafa fan. Looks like you're on a mission to dictate what people think - definite head check required.

jean , 9/2/08 10:59 AM


janhavi, don't get worked up! jean is a frustrated talentless radge who lives in mom's basement and hates on the best.
People who know a thing or two about tennis and actually play tennis know that Fed's game is the real deal. All pro players know this and say it repeatedly in interviews.

Nadi , 9/2/08 11:40 AM


janhavi, don't get worked up! jean is a frustrated talentless radge who lives in mom's basement and hates on the best.
People who know a thing or two about tennis and actually play tennis know that Fed's game is the real deal. All pro players know this and say it repeatedly in interviews.

Nadi , 9/2/08 11:41 AM


janhavi, don't get worked up! jean is a frustrated talentless radge who lives in mom's basement and hates on the best.
People who know a thing or two about tennis and actually play tennis know that Fed's game is the real deal. All pro players know this and say it repeatedly in interviews.

Nadi , 9/2/08 11:41 AM


jean...i wrote more in these comments because abviously there was a lot to write and perhaps wouldve taken ten posts..besides it depends on what im writing as well..grow up kid

janhavi , 9/2/08 12:14 PM


obviously*sorry

janhavi , 9/2/08 12:14 PM


any why? if you say you're entitled to express yourself..and that too in such a biased way..then you have to put up with others voicing their opinions..which are much more well thought of than yours and other people like you

janhavi , 9/2/08 12:16 PM


Oh look, another 'know-it-all' with a new term (radge) for us to learn. 3 same entries - just as frustrated, huh? Definitely getting more interesting! Yeah, I like mom's basement, it's cool down here.

jean , 9/2/08 12:17 PM


a person claiming to be a a tennis pundit calling it on others....man..this is hilarious...

janhavi , 9/2/08 4:04 PM


http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Radge

Jean, why do you care about Fed's "flashy cardigans"? A fashion AND tennis pundit reporting from mom's basement?

Nadi , 9/2/08 5:56 PM



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