Sports

Rafael Nadal wins third US Open Title

Published

7 years ago

September 11, 2017

World No 1 Rafael Nadal sealed his 16th Grand Slam title and third at the US Open after making light work of Kevin Anderson in Sunday’s final.

The top-seeded Nadal also won the French Open in June and claimed two major titles in the same year for the first time since his last triumph at Flushing Meadows in 2013.

World No 32 Anderson was attempting to become the lowest-ranked champion in New York since Andre Agassi in 1994, but the dominant Spaniard, appearing in his 23rd Grand Slam final, including third this season, was in a different league and blitzed the South African to win 6-3 6-3 6-4.

Nadal lost just 15 points on serve in the match and did not face a single break point in a dominant win.

“Of course it’s a very special two weeks for me,” said Nadal. “It’s unbelievable what happened this year after a couple of years with some troubles, injuries, moments playing not good.

“Since the beginning of the year it has been very emotional, and to close the Grand Slam year by winning in New York, I just can say thank you to life for that opportunity and thank you to my team and my family and everybody.”

First-time finalist Anderson, who stands 6ft 8in, was bidding to become his country’s first Grand Slam champion since Johan Kriek at the 1981 Australian Open, but Nadal was proving to be a different proposition altogether right from the outset.