Rafael Nadal has swept through the third round with a resounding straight sets win over Andrey Kuznetsov.
Nadal with a better performance today but still plenty to work on if he wants to compete with the big guns once we get further into the US Open.
Kuznetsov caused him a couple of problems here and there, but as always Nadal’s defence looks to be going very well and that will keep him in matches.
Nadal will go on to play Lucas Pouille in the fourth round.
Nadal wins 6-1, 6-4, 6-2
Rafael Nadal might have had things pretty easy through to the third round, but he must improve his level of play if he is going to have a similar level of success against world No.47 Andrey Kuznetsov. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 9am (AEST).
Maybe as expected, the fourth seed Nadal is yet to lose a set at the final grand slam of the year, but his play has been down on what you might normally expect.
His offence has well and truly been lacking, as has his serve and it means he is getting very few free points, having to fight hard even on his serve.
Nadal’s absolute level of class has been enough to see him through thus far as he has been defending to the point where he is able to work his opponent over and then put nearly every point away.
After beating Denis Istomin 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in the first round and not looking phased despite the fact improvement was needed, he came up against Andreas Seppi.
Seppi gave him a little taste of what might be to come though, as he took the second set to 7-5.
After a third round exit at Wimbledon for Kuznetsov, he has surprised many with his level of form since winning only two matches in the lead-up to the US Open, with both of those coming as opponents had to leave the match through injury.
Kuznetsov himself hasn’t been immune to the injury bug having to drop out of his match at the Rio Olympics against Roberto Bautista-Agut in the second set.
However, since landing in New York he has only dropped one set across the first two rounds. He has also played quality players Thomas Buelluci and Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
He won a third set tie-breaker against Vinolas to close it out in straight sets after dropping the second set to Belluci.
His game seems to be on fire and the way Nadal has been playing, Kuznetsov will give himself a major chance if he can get a fast start and go on the attack early.
The pair have matched up three times previously with all of those coming since the start of 2015. Kuznetsov hasn’t won a match, but has pushed two of those matches to three sets.
Prediction
Nadal will win, but I’m not convinced given how he has been playing that it will be straight forward. He will probably lose a set, but that might well kick him into gear for the rest of the tournament and so wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen.
Nadal in four sets.
Join The Roar for live coverage of this third round match from 9am (AEST) and be sure to get involved by dropping a comment below.
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Scott Pryde
Expert
Thought there were definitely some issues for Nadal in the second set - Kuznetsov broke him what, 2 times back to back. Nadal should be finishing that off if he is going to be challenging the big guns. Think his offence will also get found out against some of the top seeds.
Kym
Guest
You must have been watching a different match to me. I didn't think Kuznetsov caused him any problems and the score line backs that up. Nadal is playing as well as he's played for three years. He looks great, he's healthy and he's hitting his forehand with a lot more pop. Novak and Murray are the only players in the draw who look capable of beating him.
Scott Pryde
Expert
That wraps up The Roar's live coverage of this third round match at the US Open as Rafael Nadal got the better of Andrey Kuznetsov in straight sets. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. Stick around now for live scores of Angelique Kerber and Catherine Bellis - http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/09/03/angelique-kerber-vs-catherine-bellis-us-open-live-scores/ Live scores and blogs will continue throughout the second week of the final grand slam for 2016. Plenty of NRL coming up later today, so be sure to keep an eye out for that. I'll be live with the Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks from 7:30pm (AEST). Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Match Statistics Aces: Nadal (1), Kuznetsov (4) Double faults: Nadal (6), Kuznetsov (6) First serves in: Nadal (53/82 @ 65%), Kuznetsov (38/77 @ 49%) Points won on first serve: Nadal (38/53 @ 72%), Kuznetsov (23/38 @ 61%) Net points won: Nadal (7/10), Kuznetsov (16/24) Break points won: Nadal (7/15), Kuznetsov (2/6) Winners: Nadal (22), Kuznetsov (24) Unforced errors: Nadal (19), Kuznetsov (40) Total points won: Nadal (92), Kuznetsov (67)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, Nadal with a better performance today but still plenty to work on if he wants to compete with the big guns once we get further into the US Open. Kuznetsov caused him a couple of problems here and there, but as always Nadal's defence looks to be going very well and that will keep him in matches. Nadal will go onto play Lucas Pouille in the fourth round.
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH RAFAEL NADAL There it is! Big serve and Kuznetsov can't return it over the net. Nadal is through to the fourth round. Rafael Nadal 6 6 6 Andrey Kuznetsov 1 4 2
Scott Pryde
Expert
That is the most incredible point! Wow. Had everything. A Nadal tweener, an overhead smash, a couple of lobs and eventually Kuznetsov doesn't clear the net. Nadal 6 6 5 - AD Kuznetsov 1 4 2 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal with another error, sending a forehand wide now. Nadal 6 6 5 - deuce (1) Kuznetsov 1 4 2 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve from Nadal and it's still match point as Kuznetsov pinches another. Nadal 6 6 5 - 40 Kuznetsov 1 4 2 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve, and he opens the court well before Nadal puts a shot wide into the open court. Nadal 6 6 5 - 40 Kuznetsov 1 4 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal with a couple of ground strokes working Kuznetsov around before shortening the angle to the extreme on a forehand and catching the line. Wow. MATCH POINT. Nadal 6 6 5 - 40 Kuznetsov 1 4 2 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal goes for a body serve and Kuznetsov returns long. Nadal 6 6 5 - 30 Kuznetsov 1 4 2 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal with a wide serve, then works back to the same corner before putting a forehand into the net. Nadal 6 6 5 - 15 Kuznetsov 1 4 2 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Smart that! Kuznetsov goes wide on a backhand, sending Nadal out of the court. He races up to the net with Nadal going the other way and plays the volley back into the open court. Delaying the inevitable really though. Nadal 6 6 5 - Kuznetsov 1 4 2 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Another fault from Kuznetsov before he goes wide and Nadal finds the net on a forehand return. Nadal 6 6 5 - Kuznetsov 1 4 1 - AD
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Kuznetsov before Nadal works his way into the point with a slice, and Kuznetsov is a fraction rushed on a backhand, finding the net. Nadal 6 6 5 - Kuznetsov 1 4 1 - deuce (1)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Big serve down the middle, then an approach to the net and a smashing forehand down the centre of the court. Nadal 6 6 5 - 30 Kuznetsov 1 4 1 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal again attacking from a long way behind the baseline before trying to mix the length coming forward, and Kuznetsov puts a backhand into the net. Nadal 6 6 5 - 30 Kuznetsov 1 4 1 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kuznetsov with a fault and then serve to the backhand. Nadal slices one to get back into the point, but then tries another and finds the net. Nadal 6 6 5 - 15 Kuznetsov 1 4 1 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Great return from Nadal and Kuznetsov puts a running forehand into the net before Nadal sends one long. Nadal 6 6 5 - 15 Kuznetsov 1 4 1 - 15