It was a brave effort from an underdog ranked outside the top 100, who had never played on a main court at any of the four grand slams, who last week was playing a challenger event in Vancouver, who had lost seven of eight matches entering the season’s final grand slam. But class prevailed in the end and Nadal is through to a third-round meeting with Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer.
That’s all for now. Thanks as always for following along with us and be sure to check back shortly for Kevin Mitchell’s comment off tonight’s match.
Nadal wins!
Fourth set: Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 Daniel
Last-chance saloon for the brave Daniel and he’s able to take advantage of a few loose points from Nadal, who falls behind 15-40. Two break-point chances but they’re quickly brushed aside, the first on a missed volley and the second on Nadal’s sixth ace of the night. From there a pair of Daniel errors grants Nadal passage into the round of 32.
Nadal breaks in seventh game of fourth set!
Fourth set: *Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 5-2 Daniel (*denotes next server)
Daniel opens with another double fault, but a Nadal unforced error makes it 15-all. Then Nadal hits a forehand winner from the baseline for 15-30. Some excellent net play from Daniel on the next point to pull it to 30-all. They trade points for deuce and Daniel’s legs are buckling. Now a forehand winner by Nadal and he’ll have a break point for a chance to serve this thing out. And there it is. A truly valiant effort from Daniel tonight, but it looks as if it’s not to be.
Updated
Fourth set: Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 4-2 Daniel* (*denotes next server)
Nadal pounds a forehand winner to cap a lengthy rally before making an unforced error on the same side. From there: service winner, service winner, 114mph ace out wide.
Nadal breaks in fifth game of fourth set!
Fourth set: *Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-2 Daniel (*denotes next server)
Two quick points for Daniel followed by a double fault and a backhand unforced error. 30-all. Can Nadal dig in here? Possibly, it seems. Daniel has just sent a forehand long and followed it with another double fault, gifting Nadal the break and shaking his head in discouragement as he walks to his chair. Looks like he’d be felled by a stiff breeze he’s so exhausted.
Fourth set: Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 2-2 Daniel* (*denotes next server)
Nadal hits a pair of service winners before making an unforced error off the forehand side. Nadal hits a forehand volley for 40-15 and Daniel answers with an excellent backhand winner for 40-30, but Nadal’s 115mph service winner gives him the hold.
Fourth set: *Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 1-2 Daniel (*denotes next server)
At 15-all, Daniel crushes a backhand winner to end a 17-shot rally and bring the crowd to their feet. He then wins two quick points (thankfully, for him) and gets the much-needed hold.
Fourth set: Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 1-1 Daniel* (*denotes next server)
Nadal crushes a forehand winner followed by a 115mph ace down the middle. That’s 12 straight points on his serve extending back to the third set. Daniel breaks the run with a forehand winner from the baseline, but he nets a forehand on the next point and watches a Nadal backhand winner shoot by for the hold.
Fourth set: *Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 0-1 Daniel (*denotes next server)
Daniel, with a bit more spring in his step after the break, hits a service winner followed by a drop-shot winner for 30-love. He follows with a double fault, but a service winner followed by a 120mph ace down the tee secures the hold.
Nadal wins third set!
Third set: Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 Daniel
Nadal pounds a backhand winner, then feathers a forehand volley winner to cap a sensational 15-shot rally for 30-love. What a point! Nadal then forces Daniel into a pair of errors and he’s one set from the third round.
Updated
Third set: *Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 5-2 Daniel (*denotes next server)
Daniel reverses a run of seven straight points for Nadal by ripping off the first three points of his service game, the third with a 111mph ace down the middle. He then double-faults and misses a forehand for 40-30, but secures the hold with a 113mph service winner. Nadal will serve for the third set after the changeover.
Third set: Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 5-1 Daniel* (*denotes next server)
Boom, boom, boom, boom: Service winner, service winner, forehand winner, service winner. An easy hold at love for Nadal and Daniel will serve to stay in the set.
Nadal breaks in fifth game of third set!
Third set: *Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 4-1 Daniel (*denotes next server)
Daniel cracks a service winner but Nadal responds with a forehand winner from the baseline that clocks in at 94mph off the ground. That forehand is dialed in at the moment, an ominous sign for the 24-year-old from Japan. They trade unforced errors for 30-all, but a missed forehand by Daniel gives Nadal a look at a break point that would effectively end the set. And there it is: a badly missed forehand volley by Daniel gives Nadal a double-break lead. What can Taro Daniel do to stop it?
Third set: Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 3-1 Daniel* (*denotes next server)
Nadal caps a rally with a forehand volley winner, then another forehand winner from the baseline. That’s his eighth straight point. An unforced error by Nadal breaks the streak, but he picks it right back up with a casual overhand winner to cap an absurd 15-shot rally during which Daniel ran what seemed like a mile. He caps the hold with a 115mph service winner out wide and he remains the driver’s seat in this crucial third set.
Nadal breaks in third game of third set!
Third set: *Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 2-1 Daniel (*denotes next server)
This is getting bad for Daniel and in a hurry. Three punishing rallies, three points for Nadal, three looks at a break point for the Spaniard. He needs only one as Daniel misses on a backhand. Could this be the breakthrough Nadal has waited for? It sure feels like it.
Third set: Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 1-1 Daniel* (*denotes next server)
Nadal gets the best of a punishing 15-stroke rally when Daniel makes an unforced error on a forehand. He follows it with a backhand winner for 30-love, but then mixes in a double fault, only his second of the night. Another unforced error by Nadal makes it 30-all. But he wins the next point and then crushes a forehand winner at the end of a 17-stroke rally for the hold. Incredible running by both men. How long can Daniel’s legs possibly last?
Third set: *Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 0-1 Daniel (*denotes next server)
Daniel holds in roughly a minute, just the kind of comfortable hold that he needed to stem the tide.
Both players have left the court between the second and third sets. Nadal is still gone.
Nadal wins second set!
Second set: Nadal 4-6, 6-3 Daniel
Nadal mishits a forehand for love-15, but a service winner on the next point makes it 15-all. Another service winner by Nadal moves him to within two points of the set, but he commits an unforced error for 30-all. Nadal then follows with a 112mph ace down the middle for set point ad he caps it with a service winner to take the set! Nadal has won five of the last six games and has momentum to burn entering the third set.
Nadal breaks in eighth game of second set!
Second set: *Nadal 4-6, 5-3 Daniel (*denotes next server)
A window of opportunity for Nadal opens as he pounds a forehand winner followed by a Daniel error for love-30. Daniel responds with a 118mph service winner, his fastest serve of the night. Then another forced error by Nadal for 30-all. But Nadal hits a crowd-pleasing forehand volley winner for break point, pumping his fist in exuberation. Then he finishes it off with a forehand passing winner for 5-3. He’ll attempt to serve for the set directly.
Second set: Nadal 4-6, 4-3 Daniel* (*denotes next server)
Daniel is not going away. He goes blow for blow with Nadal in a 16-shot rally that ends when Nadal makes another unforced error off the forehand side. Nadal wins the next point points but Daniel then crushes a backhand return winner for 30-all. An unforced error by Daniel makes it 40-30, but Daniel forces Nadal into a forehand misfire for deuce. From there, a Daniel unforced error followed by a Nadal forehand winner gives the Spaniard the hold.
Second set: *Nadal 4-6, 3-3 Daniel (*denotes next server)
Daniel crushes a service winner wide, but Nadal answers with a backhand winner for 15-all. Nadal then makes a pair of mistakes for 40-15 and he’s gifting far too may free points to his Japanese opponent. Nadal responds with a forehand passing winner after making Daniel chase around the court during a lengthy rally. Another unforced error by Daniel brings it to deuce, but Daniel responds with a service winner followed by a Nadal unforced error – again off the backhand – to escape with the important hold.
Second set: Nadal 4-6, 3-2 Daniel* (*denotes next server)
Nadal holds at love, capping it with a 94mph second-serve service winner. Just the sort of quick consolidation he needed. Now the pressure returns to Daniel and you have to wonder if fatigue will start to become a factor for the youngster.
Nadal breaks in fourth game of second set!
Second set: *Nadal 4-6, 2-2 Daniel (*denotes next server)
Nadal wins a 20-stroke rally but his forehand lets him down again on the next point for 15-all. Nadal then forces Daniel into an error for 15-30 and misses long on a forehand to give Nadal two looks at a break point. Daniel saves the first when Nadal inexplicably misses on a forehand wide (an uncharacteristically bad miss!), but the sixth time is the charm for Nadal, who rips a forehand passing winner and pumps a fist triumphantly into the sky.
Daniel breaks in third game of second set!
Second set: Nadal 4-6, 1-2 Daniel* (*denotes next server)
Daniel gets the best of Nadal over an 18-stroke rally when Nadal misses on a backhand wide. Now Nadal misses on another backhand and suddely he’s love-30 down. The crowd buzzes. Nadal clearly frustrated. He pulls one back on a 114mph service winner, then another on a goregeous backhand volley winner for 30-all. Biggest show of emotion of the night for Nadal after that point. Now Daniel caps a 12-stroke rally by pouncing on a short ball for a backhand winner. Another break-point chance for the Japanese underdog! And he’s done it, winning the point on a drop shot that Nadal can’t quite retrieve.
Second set: *Nadal 4-6, 1-1 Daniel (*denotes next server)
Nadal pounces on Daniel’s 89mph second serve but misses a volley at the net. The Spaniard hits a pair of backhand winners on the next two points for 15-30 before Daniel hits an overhand winner for 30-all. Then Daniel blinks early in a rally and suddenly Nadal has a look at a break point. Daniel faults, challenging it unsuccessfully. Then Nadal jumps his 89mph second serve directly into the net. Dumbfounding! It should be mentoned that Nadal is inexplicably returning from about 15 feet behind the baseline. No idea why. Deuce. Daniel hits an overhand winner to move within a point of the game, but then makes a forehand unforced error for deuce. Nadal chips in another unforced error from the backhand side and follows it with a missed forehand, giving Daniel the hold.
Second set: Nadal 4-6, 1-0 Daniel* (*denotes next server)
Nadal quickly falls behind love-30, but a challenge on the second point – which was a terrible call by the linesperson – walks it back to love-15. Nadal wins the next two points but then makes another forehand unforced error from the baseline for 30-all. Daniel misses on a backhand for 40-30, but Nadal sprays a forehand wide of the line for deuce. From there he wins a pair of quick points, the second on a 121mph service winner down the middle, for the hold.
Daniel wins first set!
First set: Nadal 4-6 Daniel
Nadal makes an unforced error on the opening point and Daniel answers with a botched volley for 15-all. Two excellent shots by Daniel give him double set point. No signs of nerves here ... until now! Daniel picks a fine time to mix in his first double fault of the match. And then he blinks at the end of a 14-stroke volley for deuce and Nadal’s saved them both. Oh dear. But Daniel responds in a big way, rushing to net and lifting a feathery volley into the court for a winner and a third set point. This one he makes the most of, crushing a 113mph service winner to take the opener!
Daniel breaks in ninth game of first set!
First set: Nadal 4-5 Daniel* (*denotes next server)
Daniel hits a return winner but makes an unforced error on the next point for 15-all. Now he pounces on a Nadal second serve and forces the Spaniard into a miscue for 15-30, but Nadal hits a backhand volley winner for 30-all. Then Daniel ends a 10-shot rally with a blazing backhand that Nadal can’t handle and he’s got a break point for a chance to serve out the set. Well, well, well! And Nadal nets a forehand from the baseline! The first break of the night is Daniel’s and he’ll look to serve out the opener after the changeover.
First set: *Nadal 4-4 Daniel (*denotes next server)
Daniel falls behind love-15 and 15-30, but he mixes in a drop shot with Nadal pinned three feet behind the baseline for 30-all, selling it beautifully. Daniel follows with a vicious backhand winner, but misses on a forehand for deuce. Another overcooked forehand from the baseline gives Nadal a break-point chance, but Daniel saves it with a 109mph service winner. Now a second break-point chance for Nadal after Daniel makes another unforced error, but he saves this one, too, getting the best of an all-court rally and capping it with an overhand smash that Nadal can’t get back over. Another overhand winner for Daniel moved him to within a point of the hold, but he makes another backhand unforced error for deuce. They trade a few more points until Daniel is finally able to secure the hold with a 110mph ace out wide. Sixteen points over nearly 10 minutes for that game and Daniel is breathing heavy.
First set: Nadal 4-3 Daniel* (*denotes next server)
The average rally length so far is 5.8 strokes. I’d say that benefits the player who didn’t play a five-set match yesterday. Now it’s a love hold for Nadal, the first of the match for either player. Oh hey, there’s Uncle Toni!
First set: *Nadal 3-3 Daniel (*denotes next server)
Daniel makes an unforced error from the baseline, then blinks at the end of a 20-stroke rally, the longest of the match so far, to fall behind love-30. A whiff of danger for Daniel, but he pulls it back to 30-all with a pair of baseline winners. An unforced error by Nadal makes it 40-30 and Daniel escapes with the hold after hitting a perfect backhand winner down the line.
First set: Nadal 3-2 Daniel* (*denotes next server)
A promising start for Daniel as Nadal misses on a forehand from the baseline. But Nadal responds with four quick points – a 120mph ace down the tee, a pair of service winners and a forehand winner from the baseline – and they’re still on serve in the opener.
First set: *Nadal 2-2 Daniel (*denotes next server)
A stress-free hold for Daniel as Nadal chips in for the cause with three unforced errors off the backhand side.
First set: Nadal 2-1 Daniel* (*denotes next server)
A Daniel unforced error and Nadal forehand winner make it 30-love before Nadal misfires on a forehand for 30-15. Nadal then ends a lengthy rally with a forehand volley winner. He’s really making his opponent work on these points, with variety and pace. Another long rally follows, this one ended by Daniel on a backhand winner for 40-30. But Nadal crushes a 123mph ace down the middle for the hold.
First set: *Nadal 1-1 Daniel (*denotes next server)
Nadal pounces on Daniel’s 91mph second serve and Daniel complies with an unforced error. Then Nadal runs Daniel ragged on a 14-stroke rally before coming to net and forcing his opponent to miss on a passing shot. Love-30. Then Nadal makes an unforced error off the forehand and Daniel hits his first winner and it’s 30-all, but another Daniel miscue gives Nadal a look at a break point. Daniel saves it with a 109mph service winner out wide for deuce. Another service winner followed by a nifty backhand volley winner by Daniel and he’s held in his opening service game, though not without laboring for it.
First set: Nadal 1-0 Daniel* (*denotes next server)
Pristine conditions for tonight’s match: 71F, open roof, hardly a breath of wind. Nadal serving first and after a six-stroke rally Daniel forces him into an error on the forehand side. Nadal then cracks a 124mph service winner down the middle and pounds a forehand winner for 30-15, but a murmur falls over the crowd when he double-faults for 30-all. Then Nadal misses on a backhand long and suddenly Daniel has a break-point chance in the opening game. He saves it when Daniel sends a running forehand long, but Daniel earns a second look at a break when Nadal nets a forehand. Nadal saves this one, too, when Daniel puts a forehand into the net. Deuce. Nadal then hits a 116mph service winner followed by a forehand winner to secure the hold.
The players have emerged from the tunnel and the crowd is clearly in the Spaniard’s corner. Make no mistake: Nadal, the world No1 and a two-time champion at Flushing Meadows, is an overwhelming favorite against Daniel, who is ranked 121st and is winless in three career matches against opponents ranked in the top 100. Oh, and he had to play a five-set match yesterday, going the distance against New Jersey’s Tommy Paul to book tonight’s date with Nadal.
The 24-year-old represents Japan but was born in New York City and lives in Valencia, Spain, so a true citizen of the world.
Hello and welcome to Arthur Ashe Stadium for tonight’s nightcap between top-seeded Rafael Nadal and Japan’s Taro Daniel. The first match of the evening session has just concluded with No20 seed Coco Vandeweghe seeing off Ons Jabeur in straight sets, meaning we should have Nadal and Daniel under way in 20 minutes or so.
Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime here’s a look at what happened during today’s day session.
