Rafael Nadal debuted at the US Open in 2003 at the age of 17 years and two months. A budding teenager knocked out world number 61 Fernando Vicente in straight sets to celebrate his first win in New York and become the sixth-youngest player to win the US Open.
Nineteen years later, Nadal was still among the best players in the world at last year’s US Open, entering the draw as the No. 2 seed and four-time champion. Rafa began his 16th campaign at the US Open with a victory with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 win over Australian Rinky Hijikata in three hours and eight minutes.
In this way, Nadal achieved victory at the US Open 19 years after the first, following Roger Federer’s record. It was Nadal’s second match after his withdrawal from Wimbledon, with a hesitant start but taking control from the second set.
The Spaniard lost serve once in the first set and defended three break points in the third to keep up the pressure on the other side. The world number 198 had an excellent start against one of the best players in history. Even so, he could not maintain that level from the second set and hit the starting gate.
Nadal broke Rinky five times out of ten chances and advanced to the second round for the 16th time in as many trips to New York. The opening set was tight, offering only one…
