A bruised and bloodied Rafael Nadal overcame an injury scare to storm into the third round of the U.S. Open with a hard-fought four-set 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Italy’s Fabio Fognini in a stunning four-set match at the Arthur Ashe Stadium here on Friday.
Chasing his record 23rd Grand Slam, the French Open champion sailed through the match despite losing the first set and injuring himself Nadal in a freak accident where he hit himself with his own racquet.
Getting a grip over the Italian in the fourth set, Nadal reached for a wide backhand and was cruising for an easy victory when the Spaniard’s racquet struck the bridge of his nose as it rebounded off the court, drawing blood instantly and forcing him to return to the sidelines where he lay on his back.
After a short while of the medical time out the 36-year-old returned to court sporting a bandage on his nose. Meanwhile, facing his long-time rival, Nadal looked out of rhythm in the first set, resulting in Fognini taking the first set. Little did the Italian know that Nadal would absolutely dominate.