Wednesday Practice Round

Wednesday Practice Round

US Open- Nadal and Federer Win and Move to Third Round

Rafael Nadal answered questions about his knees on Wednesday when he easily won his first match in the US Open. The Spaniard had left tennis for two months this summer, trying to recover from tendonitis in both of his knees; since his return, rumors and speculation have surrounded the state of his legs. His absence had caused him to drop from top seeded in rankings to 3rd seed. Although he admitted several weeks ago that he was not in the best of shape, he has since then reached the semifinals and finals in several tournaments. Now, at the US Open, he finished his first round saying, “I played well, no?” Rafa defeated Richard Gasquet 6-2, 6-2, 6-3. Gasquet had returned from a two-and-a-half month suspension himself for testing positive for cocaine. The player managed to shorten his lengthy suspension by arguing that a kiss at a nightclub had allowed the drug to infiltrate his system. Wednesday’s match was the Nadal’s first at a major tournament since the French Open, where he was upset by Robin Soderling in the fourth round. Nadal thereafter decided not to defend his title at Wimbledon, pleading a need for rest to let his injuries heal. He expressed surprise at the speculation that surrounded his injuries; people, he said, acted as if he had been absent for two years. “It was two months,” he said. He added that, for the first time at the US Open, he felt fresh and was hoping to win his first US title. “I am very happy to be here another time, and I am enjoying much more practicing with a better attitude than when I was playing in clay season with pain in the knees every day. I went on court without pressure," he said. "Just thinking I feel I'm a very lucky guy to be here playing and enjoying this sport.” The next match for Rafa will be in the second round against the German Nicolas Kiefer. Roger Federer, the Swiss player who rose to no. 1 in the world during Nadal’s absence, had a great night on Wednesday after defeating the German player Simon Gruel 6-3, 7-5, 7-5. In a close match, Federer again demonstrated the skills that earn him the top spot in male tennis. Although he won the first set with no major difficulties, Federer began to struggle in the second, as Gruel upped the ante. Federer fell behind 4-1 but managed a resurgence at the end of the match, winning 7-5. Federer, who is looking for his sixth US Open title in a row, stated after the match that he had seen Gruel playing before and that the German player did a great job and brought a difficult battle. The match was full of intensity, Federer said, and Gruel proved his skills as a player. Federer’s next rival will be Lleyton Hewitt, who won the US Open in 2001. Hewitt defeated Juan Ignacio Chela from Argentina in the second round. Federer has won 13 matches against Hewitt, but still approaches his opponent warily.
About the Author

Audrey Nolan is a top senior copy writer for the international tennis championships as well as the top ranking sportsbetting:www.instantactionsports.com/uk
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