It’s been a great year of tennis for the 36-year-old legend Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard has already bagged two grand slam titles this year, winning the Australian Open and Roland-Garros. Though his persistent injury forced him to withdraw from the Wimbledon Championship semi-finals, Nadal is back with all cylinders in the U.S. Open. Let’s check out Rafael Nadal’s US Open 2022 results, the next match, and potential opponents.
It’s a wonder that a 36-year-old has won two grand slams this year already, and is pushing for his third. Nadal has four grand slam titles in the U.S. Open. He has an overall 22 grand slams, two more than Roger Federer and one more than Novak Djokovic. Since Djokovic isn’t competing this year for his unvaccinated status against COVID-19, Rafa will get the opportunity to go two ahead on top.
Rafael Nadal’s US Open 2022 Result:
The Spanish star is playing as the second seed in the U.S. Open Tennis this year, behind world no. 1 and defending champion Daniil Medvedev. Rafael Nadal has already ticked two out of two to start the tournament, already into the Third Round (Round of 32).
Rafa took on Rinky Hijikata in his opening game. Surprisingly, he lost the first set by 4-6 before coming back strongly to take the match by 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, and 6-3 sets.
Again, Rafa was caught off guard in the Second Round, losing the first set 2-6 against Fabio Fognini, a familiar foe he lost to in the 2015 edition. He bounced back and cruised past to victory by 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, and 6-1 sets.
Rafa flips the script 7 years after his last #USOpen match vs. Fognini. pic.twitter.com/v551bZUu4t
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2022
Rafa Nadal’s Next Match:
- Competition: US Open Tennis 2022
- Rafael Nadal vs Richard Gasquet
- Round: Third Round (Round of 32)
- Date: Friday, 2 Sept.
- Time: Not Before 7:00 pm ET
- Venue: Arthur Ase Stadium, Flushing
Rafael Nadal will play Richard Gasquet in the Third Round of the U.S. Open Tennis on Friday, 2 Sept. 2022. The French player is a familiar foe with whom Nadal has played 17 times.
Nadal is 17-0 up against Richard Gasquet, winning every match. The two met in the 2013 U.S Open semi-finals at the Flushing Meadows with Nadal winning by 6-4, 7-6 (1), 6-2 in straight sets.
Potential Opponents in the Fourth Round and Quarter-Finals:
Rafal Nadal is playing as the second seed and at the bottom of the men’s singles draw. His potential Fourth Round opponent is Diego Schwartzman (14th seed) or the American Frances Tiafoe (22nd seed). The two will meet in the Third Round on Friday.
Nadal would meet with Andrey Rublev (9th seed) or Cameron Norrie (7th seed) in the quarter-finals, given they go deeper.
Andrey Rublev will play the Third Round match against Shapovalov and Cameron Norrie against Holger Rune.
Read Also: U.S. Open R3 previews and predictions: Berrettini vs. Murray
