That’s all for this year’s US Open. Thanks for following along with us these past two weeks and for all your comments, encouragement and fact-checks. Do check out Kevin Mitchell’s full match report and we’ll see you again soon enough.
Nadal congratulates Anderson for his run to the final and thanks all the people who make the US Open possible. He then says a few words about Uncle Toni, who will not be traveling with the team any more after this tournament: “I can’t thank him enough for all the things he has done for me. Without him, I would have never been playing tennis. ... For sure, he was one of the most important persons in my life.”
He then sends out his thoughts for all the victims of the earthquake in Mexico and the hurricanes that have struck the United States and Caribbean over the fortnight.
“It is very sad moments for the world but it is time for be strong,” he says. “All the best for the victims and all the people who are suffering.”
He then accepts a check for $3.7m and lifts the trophy for the third time in his career.
Anderson opens with words of congratulations for Nadal: “I know we’re the same age but I feel like I’ve been watching you my whole life.” He thanks the USTA, Brad and the University of Illinois tennis team and all the fans who have supported him these two weeks. Also thanks for his fans back home, his wife Kelsey, his brother and his parents.
“I’ll keep fighting like you always taught me and I’ll be back,” he says.
What a masterclass from Nadal, who lost only 15 points on his serve and didn’t face a single break point. He improved to a perfect 16 for 16 on net points with that backhand volley to win the match, an appropriate finishing kick for his 16th grand slam.
Nadal wins third set, match and championship!
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 Anderson
Nadal wins the opening point on a service winner. Then someone calls out his name during his service motion, prompting a warning from the chair umpire (and a grimace of annoyance from the man himself). A return winner by Anderson makes it 15-all, but the South African then badly mishits an elementary overhand winner, sending it long for 30-15. Nadal is two points from the title. Anderson pulls one back with a nifty backhand volley winner for 30-all. The crowd swells, knowing another Anderson point could earn him his first break-point opportunity of the match. But it’s not to be as Nadal crushes a service winner for championship point. Nadal then puts a forehand into the net for deuce, but answers with a 117mph service winner out wide for a second championship point. That one is all he needs as he comes to net to hit a backhand volley winner into the open court and raises his arms skyward with a smile from ear to ear.
Third set: *Nadal 6-3, 6-3, 5-4 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Nadal gets the best of Anderson over a taxing 18-stroke rally, but Anderson responds with four quick points including a pair of aces. Now Nadal will attempt to serve it out after the changeover.
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 6-3, 5-3 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Another ruthless service game by Nadal, who holds at love once more to move within a game of his 16th grand slam title and third at the US Open. He’s now won 52 of 64 points on his serve.
Third set: *Nadal 6-3, 6-3, 4-3 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Anderson forces Nadal into an error on the opening point then booms a 126mph ace for the 10th straight point on his serve. Nadal breaks that run with a forehand volley winner, but Anderson hits a forehand winner for 40-15. More pressure from Nadal, though, as Anderson sprays a forehand for 40-30. But he escapes with the hold after hitting a 130mph service winner.
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 6-3, 4-2 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Nadal sends a forehand long on the opening point for love-15 and the crowd buzzes a bit, perhaps hoping Anderson can push the Spaniard here so they can see more tennis. Nadal then hits a service winner followed by a forehand volley winner for 30-15. Now a backhand volley winner brings it to 40-15. Incredibly, Nadal is a perfect 15 for 15 on net points. Nadal misses forehand from the baseline for 40-30, but pulls out the hold with a service winner out wide.
Third set: *Nadal 6-3, 6-3, 3-2 Anderson (*denotes next server)
It’s an easy hold at love for Anderson punctuated by a backhand winner. The South African has had an easier time on his serve compared to those marathons in the early stages, but it’s immaterial if he can’t get his teeth into a Nadal service game.
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 6-3, 3-1 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Nadal opens with a forehand volley winner, then watches as Anderson dumps a backhand into the net. Nadal hits a 114mph service winner out wide for 40-love, but he then mixes in his first double fault of the day and follows with an unforced error from the baseline for 40-30. That’s only the second time today that Anderson’s has won consecutive points on Nadal’s serve. Alas, it’s not the start of anything special: an unforced backhand error by Anderson gives Nadal the hold.
Third set: *Nadal 6-3, 6-3, 2-1 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Anderson goes love-15 down on another unforced error off the forehand, but hits a gorgeous drop-shot winner from a tight angle for 15-all. Nadal then misses on a backhand, then Anderson booms a 128mph ace into the body for 40-15. A service winner ends it and Anderson has the easy hold, but he’ll need to figure out a way to solve Nadal’s serve at least once in the next few games if he hopes to extend this match to a fourth set.
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 6-3, 2-0 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Anderson hits a booming return winner off the backhand side for love-15, but Nadal rattles off three quick points for 40-15. He then caps the hold with a service winner, backing up the break with efficiency. Make that 40 of 48 points on his serve.
Nadal breaks in first game of third set!
Third set: *Nadal 6-3, 6-3, 1-0 Anderson (*denotes next server)
“At the moment Rafael is better than the opponent,” Uncle Toni tells ESPN during the break between sets in the understatement of the day. Anderson opens the third set with a service winner but Nadal evens with a backhand winner. Two quick points by Anderson brings it to 40-15, but Anderson makes a forehand error – his 28th of the afternoon, quadruple Nadal’s seven (despite 24 winners for both) – and it’s 40-30. And just to show how quickly matters can get away from you against Nadal, Anderson makes two more unforced errors off the forehand side to go break point down ... then a third to see his serve go up in smoke.
Nadal wins second set!
Second set: Nadal 6-3, 6-3 Anderson
Nadal’s latest gem of a love hold: service winner, forehand volley winner, service winner, forehand winner. He’s won 36 of 43 points on his serve – and 36 of 80 on Anderson’s.
Second set: *Nadal 6-3, 5-3 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Anderson misses a backhand from the baseline to fall behind love-15, but hits a forehand winner at the net for 15-all. Now Nadal paints the line with a vicious forehand winner and he’s two points from a commanding two-sets-to-none lead. Anderson hits a sharp forehand early in the next point that Nadal can’t return for 30-all, followed by a 120mph second-serve service winner for 40-30. He then fires in another unreturnable serve off the second serve for the hold, putting it on Nadal to serve out the second set.
Updated
Second set: Nadal 6-3, 5-2 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Nadal falls behind love-15, but answers with a pair of service winners for 30-15. Now he shows incredible court coverage in attempting a blistering forehand passing shot that Anderson manages to return only for Nadal to sprint across the court and uncork a backhand passing winner for 40-15. Anderson then sends a backhand sailing past the baseline and Nadal has another easy hold. Anderson now will serve to stay in the second set.
Nadal breaks in sixth game of second set!
Second set: *Nadal 6-3, 4-2 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Nadal opens with an overhand winner following by a forehand passing winner for love-30. A key moment for Anderson and he takes a bit too long to reorganize mentally and he’s called for a time violation. Anderson then hits a backhand volley winner for 15-30, but makes an unforced error off the backhand side for 15-40 and it’s two more break-point opportunities for Nadal. Anderson saves the first with a big second serve that Nadal can’t return into the court, but capitalizes on the second when he rushes the net and puts away a 10-stroke rally with a overhand smash, punctuating the moment with a big fist pump as Uncle Toni and coach Carlos Moya are on their feet in the box!
Second set: Nadal 6-3, 3-2 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Nadal rips a 113mph ace followed by service winners of 121mph and 113mph to race to 40-love. He then finishes the easy love hold with a forehand that Anderson can’t return. Nadal has now won 28 of 34 points on his serve.
Second set: *Nadal 6-3, 2-2 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Two quick points by Anderson, followed by a thudding backhand winner by Nadal for 30-15. Anderson then hits another service winner followed by a missed forehand by Nadal and he’s out with another easy hold. These were the kind of service games he could have used in the first set. Now can he make any headway on Nadal’s serve?
Second set: Nadal 6-3, 2-1 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Nadal opens with a forehand winner, but nets a forehand on the next point for 15-all. Anderson sends a return long on the following point, but answers with a sharply hit cross-court forehand winner from a step inside the baseline for 30-all. Big point for the South African, but Nadal crushes a 112mph serve that Anderson sends into the net. He then overcooks a baseline forehand on the next point for the hold.
Second set: *Nadal 6-3, 1-1 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Anderson opens with a forehand winner, but Nadal rips a forehand winner down the line past a stationary Anderson for 15-all. Anderson comes to net on the next point and hits a forehand volley winner, then follows with a 130mph ace out wide for 40-15. Nadal puts a return into the net on the next point and Anderson has his first easy service game of the afternoon.
Second set: Nadal 6-3, 1-0 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Nadal holds at love, hitting winners off both wings and capping it with a 122mph service winner down the middle. He’s breezing through his service games, having lost a scant four points on his serve in the match.
Nadal breaks in ninth game and wins first set!
First set: Nadal 6-3 Anderson
Anderson mishits a forehand on the opening point and followed by a Nadal backhand passing shot winner for love-30. Nadal now two shots from taking the opener. Anderson pulls one back with a forehand winner. If Nadal was standing any farther back on these Anderson serves, he’d be in the seats. Anderson then hits a forehand winner for 30-all, then Nadal accommodates with an unforced error on the forehand for 40-30. But Nadal rips a gorgeous backhand winner past an approaching Anderson for deuce. Now another unforced error by Anderson on the forehand gives him a break and set point. Now Nadal, after starting about 12 feet from behind the baseline, works his way toward the net over three shots in the rally and deposits a feathery volley winner into the open court for the break and the opening set after 58 minutes.
Updated
First set: Nadal 5-3 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Nadal opens with a service winner but Anderson answers with a nifty drop-shot winner from the baseline. That was unexpected. Now another service winner by Nadal, followed by a quick serve and volley that sees Anderson sail the return over the baseline. It’s 40-15 and Anderson is breathing heavy between these points. Now Anderson puts a backhand wide and Nadal has consolidated the break. Now Anderson will serve to stay in the first set.
Nadal breaks in seventh game of first set!
First set: *Nadal 4-3 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Anderson misses a backhand volley early in the point for love-15. A ball has come out of his pocket and he earns a warning from the chair umpire that he will lose the point if it happens again. Anderson then hits a forehand volley at the net followed by a forehand winner from the baseline for 30-15. Now a serve and volley by Anderson, but he puts the backhand volley into the net for 30-all. Anderson follows with a 130mph service winner down the middle, but he airmails a forehand on the next point for deuce – the 13th deuce point in Anderson’s service games already. Now another double fault by Anderson, his fourth of the afternoon, and it’s a fifth break-point chance for the Spaniard. This time he capitalizes as Anderson badly misses on a forehand at the net, giving Nadal the first break of the proceedings after 47 minutes.
First set: Nadal 3-3 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Anderson misses on a backhand from the baseline, but he forces Nadal into a backhand error then hits a running forehand cross-court volley winner for 15-30. A half-chance for the South African. Nadal then lays in a soft 110mph first serve but Anderson can’t capitalize, sending a backhand return wide early in the point for 30-all. A service winner by Nadal moves him to within a point of the game, and he finishes off the hold from 15-30 down wtih a forehand volley winner. Anderson has had to play 42 points in his first three service games compared to 15 for Nadal.
First set: *Nadal 2-3 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Anderson opens with a service winner but Nadal hits a backhand winner early in the rally for 15-all. Anderson then comes to net again and puts away a forehand volley for a winner, but Nadal rips a forehand passing shot for a winner that stokes the crowd at 30-all. Now Anderson blinks with a missed forehand at the end of a 12-stroke baseline rally and Nadal has a third look at a break point. Anderson saves it with a 97mph second-serve service winner for deuce. Now he double-faults again, his third of the afternoon, and Nadal has a fourth break-point chance. And Anderson saves this one, too, with a 134mph ace out wide. Now Anderson pounds another service winnerand finishes off the hold with a powerful backhand winner up the line that appears to paint the line, but Nadal challenges it – and successfully! Deuce again. Anderson moves within a point of the hold after hitting a 133mph ace down the middle, but it’s back to deuce after Nadal misses on a forehand from the baseline. Anderson then hits another 132mph ace down the T, but it’s deuce No5 after Anderson dips a forehand volley into the net. From there, the South African hits a service winner and a forehand volley winner to escape, but it’s another hard-won hold requiring 16 points. Eventually these body shots have to take their toll.
First set: Nadal 2-2 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Nadal caps an easy hold at love with a forehand winner up the line, needing just two minutes to do it. Anderson has had to play 26 points in his first two service games compared to nine for Nadal. That strikes me as untenable.
First set: *Nadal 1-2 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Anderson wins the first point when Nadal makes an unforced error on a backhand from the baseline, but then he misses on a forehand and mixes in a rare double fault for 15-30. A hint of a chance for Nadal. Anderson forces Nadal into an error for 30-all, then wins the longest rally of the match so far when Nadal blinks from the baseline during an 11-stroke exchange. Nadal then rips a wicked two-handed cross-court backhand that Anderson can’t return for deuce. Now a backhand pass winner that sails over Anderson and lands in the court for the first break-point chance of the match. Nadal then draws Anderson toward the net and loads up on forehand passing winner but dumps it into the net for deuce. Anderson drifts toward the net again and tries a backhand down the line but misses it and Nadal has a second break-point chance, but Anderson saves this one with an easy forehand winner. Anderson then cruses a 116mph ace out wide (that Nadal challenges unsuccessfully), but misses on a forehand for deuce once more. A service winner by Anderson sets up another game point and he’s undone by a double fault again! A fifth deuce. Then he closes an exhausting 19-stroke baseline rally with a cross-court backhand winner, but makes an unforced error with a forehand on the next point for deuce No6. But from there he rattles off two quick points for the hold, ending an 18-point, 12-minute service game.
First set: Nadal 1-1 Anderson* (*denotes next server)
Nadal takes the first point when Anderson misses on a forehand from the baseline, then Nadal sends a forehand sailing for 15-all. The world No1 then hits a pair of service winners for 40-15. Second serves on all four points so far. Now a fifth but Anderson sends the return sailing and Nadal has the hold. The Spaniard no doubt feels good to hold serve comfortably despite going 0-for-5 on first serves. A bit of a nervy start for the grand slam final debutant on the return.
First set: *Nadal 0-1 Anderson (*denotes next server)
Anderson won the toss and elected to serve. Nadal takes the first point after a short rally ending with Anderson missing a forehand with both players at the net. Anderson responds with a pair of service winners for 30-15, but then misses a backhand volley for 30-all. He then crushes a 136mph ace down the middle, but sends a backhand from the baseline sailing in the next point for deuce. Nadal making Anderson work for this first hold. But the tall South African answers with a service winner and a 128mph ace out wide and he’s on the board. Big serving early with an average first-serve speed of 128mph.
The players are on court and about to start. Lots of celebs here: Christie Brinkley, Hilary Swank, Candace Bergen and media magnate Rupert Murdoch!
Nadal is appearing in his fourth US Open final with a pair of wins (2010 and 2013) and a loss (2011), all to Djokovic. The world No1 in his third grand slam final of the year after a loss to Federer in the Australian Open and a win at Roland Garros over Wawrinka. The 31-year-old from Mallorca is 15-7 lifetime in major finals and trying to win at least two majors in a season for the fourth time in his career (three in 2010, two in 2008 and 2013).
Anderson is the first South African to reach the US Open final in the Open era and the first overall since Cliff Drysdale was a runner up at the US Championships in 1965. He’s the first South African in any grand slam final since Kevin Curren, who lost to Mats Wilander at the 1984 Australian Open. The last player from South Africa to win a major title was Johan Kriek, a champion at Melbourne Park in 1981.
This may only be their fourth meeting at the professional level, but these two have a history that dates back to their days as tweens on the junior circuit.
Kevin Anderson and Rafael Nadal, Boys 12's entrants at the 1998 Nike Junior Tour Stuttgart Masters. They meet in the @usopen final tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/aoz0B2iCn2
— Bryan Armen Graham (@BryanAGraham) September 9, 2017
Hello and welcome to Arthur Ashe Stadium for today’s US Open men’s final between Rafael Nadal and Kevin Anderson. It’s a gorgeous 74F afternoon here in Queens for today’s championship match between the world No1 and 15-time major champion and the No28 seed Anderson, a grand slam final debutant who was an 80-1 longshot when the tournament began.
Nadal has won all of the four meetings between these two players with a nine to one advantage in sets played, including their lone clash at a grand slam: a 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 win in the fourth round of the 2015 Australian Open.
Today’s champion will be the fifth straight grand slam winner aged 30 or over going back to last year’s US Open when Stan Wawrinka took the title. Since then, Roger Federer, 35, won the Australian Open and Wimbledon while Nadal, 31, captured his record 10th title at Roland Garros. This is just the seventh time in the Open era that a grand slam final has been contested by a pair of players aged 30 and over and the first at the US Open since 2002 when Pete Sampras beat Andre Agassi.
The Big Four of Nadal, Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray has combined to win 45 of the last 50 major singles titles. Anderson is trying to become only the fourth player to break that collective stranglehold, joining Wawrinka, Juan Martin del Potro and Marin Cilic.
The opening ceremony is under way and the players should be on court shortly.
Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime why not check out Kevin Mitchell’s look ahead to today’s final.
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