Joe Duggan (Reporter)
RAFAEL Nadal stormed his way to an ‘unbelievable’ US Open victory with a straight-sets win over Kevin Anderson.
The Mallorquin wrapped up a 6 3, 6 3, 6 4 win to secure his 16th Grand Slam, his second this season after triumphing in the French Open for the tenth time.
Nadal dispatched South African Anderson in two hours 27 minutes as his extraordinary renaissance continued.
“It’s unbelievable what’s happened to me after a couple of years of injuries, playing not so good,” said Nadal.
“But I’ve been playing a high level of tennis and the crowd here brings me to a higher level of energy.”
The six-foot eight Anderson rained down his serves on Nadal, but the Spaniard was able to take control of the match playing deep.
By game six of the second set, Nadal had lost only seven points in nine service games and went on to clinch the final with a serve and volley on his second match point.
The Flushing Meadows final marked the last Grand Slam where Nadal would be coached by his uncle Toni, with Carlos Moya taking charge of his training next year.
“I can’t thank him enough for all the things he did for me,” Nadal said of his uncle.
“Probably without him I would never be playing tennis and it’s great I had somebody like him pushing me all the time.”
