Tennis
Nadal and Swiatek into US Open second round─── MORGAN PIEK 07:32 Wed, 31 Aug 2022
The 22-time Grand Slam champion, Rafael Nadal, is through to the second round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows in New York.
On Tuesday night, the King of Clay was made to work hard for his 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 and 6-3 win over Rinky Hijikata of Australia.
Nadal said he is happy with his first game in Queens in three years.
“It's been a long wait. For some time, I thought I may not be able to be back, so I am super happy. “Night sessions are the best. I just have to be humble and accept the process, day after day in practices and matches and stay positive.
“I think I started not that bad the first couple of games, but then I had some opportunities that I was not able to make.
“I think I didn't play a good game with my serve. Then he had the break. Then I was a little bit nervous.
“First match here in New York after three years, night session, it's always exciting. Yeah, I went through this tough moment.”
Meanwhile, in the women's singles, the world number one, Iga Swiatek of Poland, is safely through to the next round following a 6-3 and 6-love win over Jasmine Paolini of Italy.
