US Open: Nadal loses his first set but goes into quarters

New York (AFP)

Rafael Nadal, N.2 world, lost his first set of the tournament but qualified for the quarterfinals of the US Open beating Monday the 2014 winner, Marin Cilic (22) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.

"In the second set, he was more aggressive than me, I backed down and he was very determined, so I told myself that I had to change that because I was in his hands," said the Spaniard who, under Tiger Woods' eyes, lined up 9 games in a row while both players were tied for one set all over and 1-1 in the third inning.

For what will be his 40th quarterfinal Grand Slam, Nadal will face the Argentine Diego Schwartzman (21st).

The triple winner of the Flushing Meadows Trophy (2010, 2013, 2017) had won all of his matches in three straight sets so far this year, further benefiting from his opponent's second-round draw.

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