Rafael Nadal goes for his 16th Grand Slam title against Kevin Anderson, who will be trying for his first. Nadal won the French Open in June and a victory will give him two Major titles in the same year for the fifth time in his career and the first since 2013, when he won the last of his two US Open titles. It’s Nadal’s fourth appearance in the US Open final but first that won’t be against Novak Djokovic. He will finish the tournament without facing a top-20 opponent. Pete Sampras is the last player to win a Major without doing that, at Wimbledon in 2000. Anderson is ranked 32nd, the lowest-ranked Grand Slam finalist since No 38 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the 2008 Australian Open and the lowest at the US Open since the ATP rankings began in 1973. The lowest-ranked US Open champion was No 20 Andre Agassi in 1994. Nadal has won all four meetings against the South African. The 6'8 Anderson will be a big underdog against Nadal, who will contest his 23rd major final. Hip, leg and elbow injuries caused Anderson to miss time this season. Ankle surgery, plus left knee, right shoulder and groin injuries were problems last year. He is appearing in his 34th Major tournament and took advantage of a draw depleted by withdrawals of several top players, including past champions Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka. “It’s nice,” Anderson said, “that some of them gave us a bit of a shot to make a run in this tournament.” “He serves so well. Playing with tons of confidence and doing it very aggressively,” Nadal said about Anderson. “I will need to impose my tempo.” Anderson’s coach, Neville Godwin, put forth the idea that his guy, only once before even so far as a quarterfinal in 33 previous appearances at majors, should be pressure-free Sunday. “He’s completely free. He’s completely surpassed any expectations he may have had,” Godwin said. “So he’s got to release himself and just go and play.” Yes, there is still a match to be contested, and three sets to be won, and an Anderson victory would not be the first time an unheralded tennis player managed to beat a presumably unbeatable one. With inputs from AP
Highlights US Open 2017, tennis result, men's final: Rafael Nadal defeats Kevin Anderson to win 16th Grand Slam title
Rafael Nadal takes on Kevin Anderson in the US Open men’s final. Follow our live blog for scores and updates from the match.
 "Highlights US Open 2017, tennis result, men's final: Rafael Nadal defeats Kevin Anderson to win 16th Grand Slam title")
US Open 2017 champions:
Women’s singles – Sloane Stephens
Men’s singles – Rafael Nadal
Women’s doubles – Martina Hingis and Chan Yung-Jan
Men’s doubles – Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau
Mixed doubles – Martina Hingis and Jamie Murray
Girls’ singles – Amanda Anisimova
Boys’ singles – Yibing Wu
Girls’ doubles – Olga Danilovic and Marta Kostyuk
Boys’ doubles – Yu Hsiou Hsu and Yibing Wu
And that’s a wrap for US Open 2017! We hope you enjoyed our coverage of the final Grand Slam of the season.
See you in 2018 for the Australian Open.
Before we sign off, here’s our image of the day. Victory!
Then and now...@KAndersonATP @RafaelNadal#USOpen pic.twitter.com/Gg3mTz5JcK
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2017
Check out the final stats from the final between Nadal and Anderson.
Rafael Nadal was utterly dominant in his straight-sets win over Kevin Anderson.
The top seed put pressure on the 6'8 Anderson’s serve since the word go and never relented. He broke twice in the opening set, and once each in set No 2 and 3. What stood out was his exceptional play at the net – Nadal won all 16 of his 16 points when he came forward.
He was flawless on serve as well, and never had to save a break point. He dropped only 15 points in the entire match on his serve.
To recap: Rafael Nadal won his 16th Grand Slam title by sweeping Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in the US Open final.
It’s the third US Open title for Nadal, who won two majors this year for the first time since 2013.
The 28th-seeded Anderson was bidding to become the lowest-ranked US Open champion ever.
So, the gap between Federer and Nadal is again down to three Grand Slams, as it was at the start of the year.
Federer – 19
Nadal -16
Will Nadal catch up with Federer?
Grand Slam winners in 2017.
2017 (🎥Eurosport) pic.twitter.com/qn3YGxA8iY
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) September 10, 2017
Hoisting a Grand Slam trophy for the 16th time...
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2017
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆@RafaelNadal #USOpen pic.twitter.com/UAvcsP7MAG
A season to remember pic.twitter.com/I01iX8Xnlt
— Ilya Ryvlin (@ryvlin) September 10, 2017
Rafael Nadal says it’s been an unbelievable two weeks for him.
“Very special two weeks for me. It’s unbelievable what happened this year after couple years with some problems and injuries.”
He ends on this precious nuggest: “Thank you very much to life for the opportunity.”
This is the fourth time that Rafael Nadal has won at least two Grand Slam titles in a season:
3 in 2010
2 in 2008, 2013, 2017
Kevin Anderson in the presentation ceremony to Nadal:
“I know we are the same age but feel like I’ve been watching you my whole life. You are one the great ambassadors of the sport.”
Really nice speech from one of the nicest guys on the tour!
Proof there's nothing to prove.
— Nike (@Nike) September 10, 2017
3 New York titles.
16 majors won.
Still number 1.@RafaelNadal #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/yWkYOzXe0D
6-3, 6-3, 6-4.@RafaelNadal defeats Kevin Anderson to win his 3rd #USOpen title and 16th career Grand Slam🏆! pic.twitter.com/rJANGdqcyV
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2017
Rafael Nadal wins Grand Slam #16. He beats Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in 2 hours and 30 minutes to lift his third US Open title.
Supremely dominant performance!
Nadal wins!
Nadal starts off with an excellent unreturnable serve down the tee. 15-0.
On the next point, Nadal hits his forehand well wide and it’s 15-15. Lots of Nadal fans in the crowd cheering loudly for him between points, which could prove to be distracting.
Anderson had the point in his bag after a long rally but he botches an overhead smash and it’s 30-15.
The 28th seed makes it 30-30 by winning a smart point at the net.
Service return long from Anderson and it’s MATCH POINT.
Nadal nets a forehand into the net and it’s deuce!
Great kicked serve out wide from Nadal to bring up MATCH POINT #2.
Nadal holds with a serve-forehand combination to win US Open title.
Anderson delays the inevitable for one more game! He holds with an ace for 4-5.
Nadal will now serve for the US Open title.
Love-hold for Nadal and he’s one game away from the US Open championship.
Nadal has dropped only 12 points on serve in 13 games. That’s a remarkable stat!
Credit to Kevin Anderson: no whining, no “woe is me” attitude, not packing it in, continues to fight.
— skip schwarzman (@skip1515) September 10, 2017
Nadal sends a service return long and Anderson holds for 3-4.
Credit to the South African for still staying positive in this match. He is still first-pumping and yelling “Come On” after every big point.
It’s just one break of serve in the third set but this match has provided little evidence that Anderson can change that in the next two games.
Nadal leads by two sets and 4-2.
Anderson still hasn’t created a break point in this match. Nadal is still perfect at the net.
Flawless performance from the Spaniard as he moves to within two games of his 3rd US Open title.
Anderson: 1st serve points won 73 %, 2d serve points won 34 %
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) September 10, 2017
Nadal: 1st serve points won 86%, 2d serve points won 70%
Signing autographs as a Grand Slam champion 😎@SloaneStephens#usopen pic.twitter.com/8f41NHo2B9
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2017
A hold each from both players and we are at 3-2 in the third set of the US Open final.
Anderson has called for the trainer over the change of ends to get a finger on his right hand treated.
#USOpen Lens:
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2017
Inside Arthur Ashe Stadium for the men's final. 👌 pic.twitter.com/LRvgHHI14A
Nadal is winning 85% of first serve points and 80% on second serves.
He’s dropped just EIGHT points on his serve in this whole match. A lot of it is down to how Anderson is returning but as soon as a point goes to a long rally, you know Nadal will win it. This has been an absolute masterclass from the top seed.
Nadal absolutely cruising in this match now.
The Spaniard breaks Anderson from 15-40 down and then consolidates it with a hold to 15. This could be over very quickly if Nadal keeps this level up.
Stats from set two. Nadal perfect at the net and yet to face a break point in this match.
Rafael Nadal takes the second set 6-3 in 40 minutes. He’s a set away from his 16th Grand Slam title.
Very impressive set from the Spaniard and he’s in complete control of the match.
Nadal holds for 6-3.
Service return into the net from Anderson on the first point. Nadal wins the next with a huge serve that helped him open up the court and then finish the point off at the net with a smash. Nadal goes big down the tee and it’s THREE SET POINTS for a 2-0 lead.
Nadal hooks a forehand cross-court winner to hold and win the second set 6-3.
Anderson holds for 3-5. Nadal to serve for the second set.
While serving to stay alive in the second set, Anderson falls behind 15-30, courtesy two well-constructed points from Nadal.
Anderson makes it 30-30 after a deep forehand out wide forces an error from Nadal.
Huge second serve down the tee hit at 120 mph from Anderson and it’s game point.
Anderson holds with another big serve, again hit down the tee.
Nadal is pumped after that break and he consolidates at 15 for a 5-2 lead in the second set.
(🎥Eurosport) pic.twitter.com/qSETANXAZy
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) September 10, 2017
Rafael Nadal.
— Tennis GIFs🎾🎥 (@tennis_gifs) September 10, 2017
Watertight at the net. pic.twitter.com/AiQVEJyp2Q
Nadal breaks for 4-2.
At 0-15, Anderson comes in to the net on the next point but his volley was a very poor one. Nadal punishes him with a forehand cross-court winner. 0-30. Dangerous times for the South African.
Anderson comes forward after a good service and slashes a backhand volley away into the open court for a winner. 15-30.
A backhand into the net brings up TWO BREAK POINTS for Nadal.
Anderson saves one with a decent second serve that Nadal can’t keep in on his return. 30-40.
Another superb net attack from Nadal and he breaks for 4-2.
Net points won:
10/10 Nadal
11/24 Anderson
Nadal has been absolutely brilliant at the net today.
Nadal holds to love for 3-2.
Second serve ace, right down the T from Nadal and it’s his first ace of the match! 15-0.
Another big serve from Nadal out wide for 40-0 and and the perfect serve-forehand combination brings up the hold to love. Easy-peasy.
Make that two more easy service holds to make it 2-2 in the second set.
Feels like Nadal is bidding his time to come and attack later in this set. What can Anderson do to change things up?
Nadal's backhand is his winning shot today.
— Carl Bialik (@CarlBialik) September 10, 2017
Winners/unforced errors on groundstrokes/passing shots/approach shots:
5/4 forehand
6/2 backhand
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