The US Open is set up for a cracking second round battle when Olympic fourth place finisher Rafael Nadal faces off against the experienced world No.87 Andreas Seppi. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from around 10:30am (AEST).
Nadal has had some well documented struggles over the last couple of years, and it all came to a head with injury and a third round exit at the French Open.
He had a long break to recover after that though, and it has seemed to work a treat for the former world No.1, coming back at the Olympics to a bronze medal match that he went onto lose.
Still, losing to Juan Martin Del Porto and Kei Nishikori wouldn’t have been the greatest confidence builders for him before then going onto lose in the second round against Borna Coric in Cincinatti.
Nadal is known to get up for grand slams though, and that is evident through his incredible career – simply put being knocked over here would be a shock no matter how his form has been over the last few years.
Seppi, on the other hand has been up and down but at the end of the day he has a stack of experience. Despite having a ranking of 18th at his peak, he has never made it past the fourth round of a grand slam and it’s hard to see that happening here.
Seppi was bowled out in the first round of the French Open, second in Wimbledon and second once again at Rio in what has been a tough season.
His form leading into the tournament has been poor at best, crashing out in the first round of the only tournament he played at the hands of Jan Lennard Struff.
His first round match came against Stephane Robert with a four set victory.
The pair have faced off eight times before, with Nadal winning seven of them. They have faced off twice on hard courts including a second round match at the Olympics with Nadal not losing a set in either.
Prediction
Nadal has been in much better form recently, and it would be a major surprise for him to be knocked out early. It won’t be easy, and experience will count for plenty on Seppi’s side of things, but Nadal to win this one.
Nadal in five sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this massive second round match at the US Open from around 10:30am (AEST) or at the completion of Anastasija Sesastova and Garbine Muguruza and don’t forget to drop a comment below.
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Scott Pryde
Expert
That will do it for Day 3 at the US Open then. Thanks for joining me today for The Roar's live coverage as Rafael Nadal advances over Andreas Seppi in straight sets. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. We will be back with plenty of scores and blogs over the weekend so be sure to keep an eye out! Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
MATCH STATISTICS Aces: Nadal (2), Seppi (3) Double faults: Nadal (2), Seppi (4) First serves in: Nadal (45/81 @ 56%), Seppi (36/79 @ 46%) Points won on first serve: Nadal (30/45 @ 67%), Seppi (21/36 @ 58%) Points won on second serve: Nadal (21/36 @ 58%), Seppi (13/42 @ 30%) Net points won: Nadal (10/11 @ 91%), Seppi (4/12 @ 33%) Break points won: Nadal (8/12 @ 67%), Seppi (2/7 @ 29%) Receiving points won: Nadal (45/79 @ 57%), Seppi (30/81 @ 37%) Winners: Nadal (23), Seppi (16) Unforced errors: Nadal (28), Seppi (35) Total points won: Nadal (96), Seppi (64)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Rafael Nadal takes victory in straight sets then, but it really wasn't all that impressive. He had to fight hard, his serve didn't look all that turned on and his offence only sprung up in certain stages. Really, the reason Nadal was able to win all three sets and make the scoreline look as convincing as it did was because he just came through on all the big points. Seppi struggled to have any offence or power to put Nadal off his game enough, and despite a big second set the scoreline will make it look like a smashing. Nadal is going to have to improve big time moving forward. He was solid, but not fantastic and probably isn't going to beat the big players with performances like that. Rafael Nadal 6 7 6 Andreas Seppi 0 5 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, Rafael Nadal Seppi can't get to a cross court backhand and it is wide! Great effort from Seppi really, but Nadal is just far too good. He worked Seppi around all evening and a solid performance from Nadal. Rafael Nadal 6 7 6 Andreas Seppi 0 5 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Match point coming up. Seppi puts a backhand long. Nadal 6 7 5 - 40 Seppi 0 5 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal with a fault, and then Seppi with a great return that pushes Nadal behind the baseline. He looks for the drop shot but collects the net. Nadal 6 7 5 - 30 Seppi 0 5 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal goes long on the serve before Seppi returns with a strong backhand. Nadal with a mistake putting a down the line forehand wide. Nadal 6 7 5 - 15 Seppi 0 5 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Great serve from Nadal, then a cross court forehand that Seppi returns out. Nadal 6 7 5 - 15 Seppi 0 5 1 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Seppi well behind the baseline and he gets back into it with a slice, but won't maintain putting a shot into the net. Almost there now. Nadal 6 7 5 - Seppi 0 5 1 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Double fault. Nadal 6 7 4 - 40 Seppi 0 5 1 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Seppi looks to be struggling to stay in this now. Another error sending it long, albeit a forced error with some good shots off the racquet of Rafa. Nadal 6 7 4 - 30 Seppi 0 5 1 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Seppi with a wide serve, then an approach to the net but he can't get a volley over. Nadal 6 7 4 - 15 Seppi 0 5 1 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Seppi is forced behind the baseline again and puts a backhand into the net. Could be our last change of ends here. Nadal 6 7 4 - Seppi 0 5 1 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Seppi has given up this opportunity here, sending a forehand long now. Nadal 6 7 3 - 40 Seppi 0 5 1 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Good serve and Seppi never got into that point. Nadal 6 7 3 - 30 Seppi 0 5 1 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Seppi now winds up a down the line backhand and it goes long. Once again good defence, but he just hasn't been patient enough at times today. Nadal 6 7 3 - 15 Seppi 0 5 1 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal now makes a mistake and sends a running forehand wide. Good defensive play there from Seppi. Nadal 6 7 3 - 0 Seppi 0 5 1 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal starts with a double fault now. Nadal 6 7 3 - 0 Seppi 0 5 1 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Seppi now comes onto the attack and smokes hm a forehand winner into the corner. Nice shot and he gets on the board in the third. Nadal 6 7 3 - Seppi 0 5 1 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Another fault, then Nadal returns with plenty of depth. Seppi only just gets there on a backhand he played from behind himself and it is out. Nadal 6 7 3 - 30 Seppi 0 5 0 - 40