Greg Rusedski: Nadal has had too many brutal matches back-to-back
Former Brit No.1 Greg Rusedski believes Rafael Nadal needs to storm through the first week of the US Open to eventually have a successful campaign in New York.
Nadal has played some energy sapping matches at the US Open over the years, most of them coming in the latter half of the draw. “He can’t afford to go as long as he did with those matches,” Rusedski said.
“You can lose a major in the first week if you even get through it by having too many brutal matches back-to-back. He just had too many brutal matches back-to-back. The conditions were too slow last year.”
He further added, “And the guys he played you have to give credit too. Khachanov and Thiem. what he is doing is absolutely phenomenal. If he can have an easier run in the first week there’s no reason why he can’t go all the way because he has won the US Open on a few occasions.”
Nadal although recently said that he has been feeling good ahead of the US Open. “Last year, honestly, I was not that bad. Of course, my feeling on the knees are better this year than last year," he said.
“Last year the problem was I played three or four very, very long matches. That’s tough. Then happened in that semi-finals the thing with the knee. I hope to be ready for it. I think I am playing well. I am practising the right way during these days.”
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/327Z7tB
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