Rafael Nadal Loses to Fabio Fognini, Eliminated from US Open
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – For the first time since 2005, Rafael Nadal failed to advance past the third round of the US Open. The No. 8 seeded Nadal was eliminated on Friday night, losing to No. 32 Fabio Fognini in five sets.
Spanish eighth seed Nadal, whose 14 Slam titles include the 2010 and 2013 US Open crowns, fell victim to 32nd-seeded Italian Fabio Fognini 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The loss was a surprising one for Nadal because of the success he's had in the US Open. It's even more shocking because of how the match started.
Early in the match, it looked like Nadal was going to head to the next round with ease. He won the first two sets, and was just one set away from winning. A 2-0 lead for Nadal is a virtual lock of victory for Nadal, or at least it used to be.
That streak came to a crashing end as Fognini stormed back to take the match and stun the iconic star in a fantastic effort. Fognini's comeback was complete when Nadal's return sailed wide and sealed the match and upset.
Nadal had not lost so early on the New York hardcourts since a third-round ouster in 2005 by American James Blake. The 29-year-old left-hander had been 151-0 in Slam matches when leading by two sets.
The loss was the first time Nadal has lost at the US Open since 2011. He didn't play in the event in 2012 or 2014 and won the event in 2013.
