Rafael Nadal reveals ‘toughest moment’ of third round US Open win over Karen Khachanov
RAFAEL NADAL has revealed how hard he had to dig to overcome Karen Khachanov in the US Open.
US Open: Crowds cheer as Nadal battles with Khachanov
Nadal - the reigning US Open champion - battled through the pain barrier as he had strapping on his right knee before taking out the Russian hotshot in a match that lasted just under four-and-a-half hours - 5-7, 7-5 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-3).
The Spaniard looked to be facing an uphill challenge at one point and could have found himself two sets to love down.
At one point, Nadal won a 39-match stroke rally to take the third set.
And the 17-time Grand Slam champion, knows just how vital that moment was.
I needed the third set of course. There were some tough moments during the match
“I needed the third set of course,” Nadal said after the match.
“There were some tough moments during the match.
“I had to save some important points and serving for the match at 5-4 in fourth, I didn’t play well.
“I made some mistakes and he was aggressive.
“I played a great tie break and probably there are things to work on for the next round.”
Greg Rusedski, meanwhile, was left in awe describing it as one of the greatest ever.
He said: “Exceptional tennis from both guys. But this man [Nadal] - the greatest fighter of all time ever in the history of our sport, I believe.
“In a best of five set match, usually the guy who wins the third set goes on to win the match.
“When it was 1-1, he was lucky to be at one-all because Khachanov served for the set at 5-4. He came through that.
“The roof helped him, when they closed that at 5-5. He did a tactical change, which was absolutely genius from his team - ‘Let’s go into the strength of Khachanov and serve into that forehand more often.’
“By doing that it gave him the first hit, one at 7-5 and played great and then third set, big moment, love-40 service game - finds a way to come through that and then wins that set in an epic tie-breaker.
“This crowd has been treated to one of the best matches ever.”
Nadal will face Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili in the last 16.