Nadal beats Fognini but injures himself

This time the big show was canceled: After two convincing individual victories, tennis icon Serena Williams suffered a dampener in her mood at the US Open. In what was probably her last joint appearance with her older sister Venus, the 40-year-old failed in the first round of the doubles competition - and that obviously ruined her mood. Without saying a word to the fans in Arthur Ashe Stadium or fulfilling the fans' requests for autographs at the players' tunnel, the American quickly disappeared from the field.

The Williams sisters lost to the Czechs Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova on Friday night 6:7 (5:7), 4:6. Thanks to a wildcard, the 14-time Grand Slam tournament winners were back on the court together for the first time since the 2018 French Open. Hradecka was “sorry” for beating her idols. “But I’m glad we did it.”

Serena Williams (l) and Venus Williams (r) were eliminated in doubles. © ANSA / CJ GUNTHER

Afterwards, Rafael Nadal fought his way out of an almost inexplicable low after one and a half sets in his second round match against the Italian Fabio Fognini. In the end, the 22-time Grand Slam tournament winner won 2:6, 6:4, 6:2, 6:1. In the third round the Spaniard will face Richard Gasquet from France on Saturday. “This has happened to me before with a golf club, but not with a tennis racket” Rafael Nadal In the fourth set, Nadal injured himself: When he hit a backhand, the racket bounced violently off the ground and back onto his nose. The bleeding wound had to be treated during a medical break. The 36-year-old ended the match with a nasal plaster.

“This has happened to me before with a golf club, but not with a tennis racket,” said Nadal afterwards, smiling about his faux pas. He feels “a little dizzy” and it “hurts a little.”

Nadal's compatriot Carlos Alcaraz had significantly fewer problems. The 19-year-old easily defeated Argentine Federico Coria 6:2, 6:1, 7:5. On Saturday, Jenson Brooksby from the USA is the next opponent awaiting the fourth in the world rankings.

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Nadal beats Fognini but injures himself

Fabio Fognini was able to hope for a coup against Rafael Nadal for a long time last night (CEST), but then gave up a clear lead - even though Nadal sustained an injury himself with his racket. Meanwhile, the Williams sisters had a lackluster finish in doubles.

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