Rafael Nadal drops first set but rallies to defeat Rinky Hijikata at US Open
Rafael Nadal’s first set at the 2013 US Open continued an early run of success in the clay court season of 2013. As the Spaniard, however, would come up short in his bid to become the first man to win five US Open titles in five years.
Nadal, 29, came into the match up ranked world number one. On a day when the number of spectators was down slightly on the first day of play, the draw for the match played out very differently than the last two years. There was a major upset when the number of seeded players was switched to five, and Rafa now had a tough task to overcome the man who he has already beaten three times at the US Open.
Despite serving for a 6-1 lead and having already won two matches in the men’s draw, Hjikata did not look like the man to beat as he was unable to break Nadal even on his first serve.
The first set would remain tight with Hjikata serving for 5-3 and serving to level the tie for the second set. The Japanese looked to be the better player as he took the first set. Nadal came to the first set point at 4-4 with an ace, the Spaniard looking to get his first break of serve. As it was, Hjikata got the break point with an ace from 5-3 and Nadal was awarded another break in the next game.
The Spanish player would then again get a break of serve and Hjikata fell to love when he won the second break point of the match, 6-5. Nadal however was unable to serve it out and ended up losing the set, 6-2.
Hjikata came out onto the match at the start with the momentum, and looking to take the second set off Nadal.
