Rafael Nadal beats Fabio Fognini at US Open

The four-time champion overcame both a slow start and the upset-minded Fognini to prevail, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1, back into the third round for the 14th time in 16 appearances in Flushing Meadows.

Despite the infamous 2015 loss, in which he squandered a two-sets-to-love advantage, Nadal now leads the overall head-to-head, 14-4.

"One of the worst starts, probably ever," said Nadal, who amassed 37 unforced errors on the night. "But that’s part of the game. You need to stay humble, you need to accept the situation. It hasn’t been an easy month for me, so I know this kind of stuff can happen. It’s another opportunity for me. I’m still alive after a match like this. That means a lot," he told the US Open site.

The 60th-ranked Fognini, three years removed from a career-high of world No. 9, raced through the 34-minute opening set with breaks in the third and seventh games.

Nadal, clearly out of sorts, at times even palming his face in disbelief, dropped five of his first seven service games and fell behind 2-4 in the second set. But as he’s shown so many times before, even when he can’t summon his best level, the Mallorcan kept fighting, soon bringing the set back on serve. Two games later, the crowd, which had been sitting in stunned silence much of the way, finally came alive as the record 22-time major titlist leveled the match at one set apiece.

Fognini, 35, dug himself an insurmountable 2-4 hole in the third set, Nadal swatting a running forehand winner to secure the break.

The match took a surreal turn in set four when, ahead 3-0 and the finish line in sight, Nadal accidentally bloodied his nose with his own racquet on a follow-through and was forced to take a medical timeout. With tape on his face, he returned to close out the proceedings in two hours and 42 minutes.

The No. 2 seed Nadal is now a perfect 21-0 in Grand Slam play this season with titles at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, his lone setback a semifinal pull-out at Wimbledon due to an abdominal tear, an injury that cost him a shot at the Grand Slam. He is seeking his fifth US Open title, which would put him level with Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer and Pete Sampras for most in the Open Era. It would also send him back to No. 1 for the first time since January 2020.

With the win, Nadal became the first player to qualify for the year-end ATP Finals in Turin.

Nadal is among four players remaining in the draw (along with Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud) with a chance to be world No.1 on September 12 based on their US Open results.

With two Grand Slam titles this season and no points to defend in New York, he is in prime position to begin his ninth stint and 210th week atop the rankings.

(With UNI inputs)