NEW YORK _ It was far too soon _ going into the tournament's third day _ for the U.S. Open's focus to be narrowed to just two players. So many characters and back stories and accomplished athletes still are in the mix.
But Tuesday's rain that led to a massive postponement of matches squeezed attention down to the sport's most dominant male players of this century, as if it already was championship weekend, because the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof allowed Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to complete first-round matches.
After Nadal prevailed in the late afternoon, Federer held off 19-year-old Floridian Frances Tiafoe in a five-set thriller,4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4, late Tuesday night. And the general fascination over those two superstars' impact, and the respect they engender, appears as endless as their long careers.
"Incredible. Incredible," top-ranked American John Isner said of Federer winning both Grand Slam events he entered this year, the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Nadal won the other, the French.
Federer, who turned 36 earlier this month, now has 19 major-tournament titles, the record. Nadal, at 31, is next with 15. After them, among active players, Novak Djokovic has 12, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka three apiece. And those three fellows are missing the Open with injuries.
"It's amazing to see," Isner said. "We're very fortunate. Everyone _ us players, we benefit from playing well. Gets tennis on the big screen back again. You guys certainly enjoy him playing well. It's a win-win for everyone.
"With Nadal, it's the same thing as Roger. To have those two guys at the top of the game ... those two guys to date have had the best year on the tour. Kind of rewinding the clock back to seven, eight years ago. To have those two guys at the top of the game right now is very special."
Nadal assured on Tuesday that "nothing is easier" at 31. "Everything is easier at 20. But, yes, it's a different part of life, different part of my tennis career ...
"And today, here I am at 31. If you tell me I will be here at 31 being No. 1 of the world, especially six, seven, 10 years ago, I will not believe you, so I try to enjoy every day without thinking much about what happened or what can happen."
Federer, too, has said he is not seeking some "fairy tale ending;" rather, he _ like Nadal _ simply loves his job.
