Rafael Nadal Squeezes To The Second Round Of US Open As Nicolas Kiefer Puts Up A Brave Fight

Rafael Nadal, the third seeded Spaniard advanced to the third round of the US Open 2009, as he beat his opponent, Nicolas Kiefer from Germany 6-0, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. But to every ones surprise, of what seemed to be a one sided match turned out to be an exciting one, as the 129th seeded Kiefer battled it hard to keep Nadal focused all through out the match. The match marked the fifth day of the US Open 2009, at the National Tennis Center.
“It was a very good practice for me no?”, the 23 year old Spaniard who is in hunt for his first US Open title told the media. The 32 year old Kiefer did put up a brave fight of what seemed initially to be a one sided game after the 23 year old Nadal literally dominated the first set, thereby taking a lead of 6-0. The German came back hard during the second round, playing toe-to-toe with Nadal, thereby narrowing the lead as he won the second set 6-3. The rest of the match kept the audience glued to their seat, as Kiefer, the 129th seeded German played some brilliant tennis such that the Spaniard had to push himself to the limit to earn the points. Kiefer indeed seemed to be a tough draw for the Spaniard.
“Playing three hours is very good test. At the same time it’s important. First day I didn’t have any bad moment, any pressure moment. Today I had to do more,” said Nadal who claimed that the match was a good preparatory test for him as he advances to the next round of US Open.
Kiefer, ranked number 129th has never been successful to win a set against the Spaniard in their previous four meetings.