Rafael Nadal through to US Open second round after injured David Ferrer retires
Tuesday 28 August 2018 13:38, UK
Defending champion Rafael Nadal reached the second round of the US Open in unfortunate circumstances with opponent David Ferrer forced to retire during his final Grand Slam match.
Ferrer called it quits on a hot and humid night on Arthur Ashe Stadium when he led 4-3 with a break in the second set.
The former world number three was clearly struggling with a left calf injury and retired in the second set after fellow Spaniard Nadal had taken the opener 6-3.
Ferrer plans to retire at an event in Spain next season, and he told the crowd: "It was pain. I tried to play but I think it (his calf muscle) is broken. I have really good memories here. This is my last Grand Slam. I'm so sorry because I can't finish the match. I will miss you a lot."
After a fine start to the match, Nadal's forehand went awry in the second set, but his primary feeling at the end of the clash was empathy for his compatriot.
The world number one said: "I'm very, very sorry for him. He's one of my closest friends on tour. We shared amazing moments together playing French Open finals, a couple of Davis Cup finals. It's sad to see him finish like this but he deserves everything because he's a fantastic player."
Ferrer added: "I am 36 years old. It's time to be home."
Nadal moves through to a second-round clash with Canada's Vasek Pospisil, while Dominic Thiem overcame his recent poor form to record a straightforward 6-3 6-1 6-4 win against Bosnian Mirza Basic.
Greek rising star Stefanos Tsitsipas won his first main-draw match at Flushing Meadows, beating veteran qualifier Tommy Robredo 6-3 7-6 (7-1) 6-4, while there was an emphatic 6-0 6-3 6-4 victory over Donald Young for third seed Juan Martin del Potro.
Last year's runner-up Kevin Anderson was in deep trouble at two sets to one down to American Ryan Harrison and struggling with cramp but recovered to win 7-6 (7-4) 5-7 4-6 6-3 6-4.
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Tennis is back on Sky Sports screens with the Laver Cup in September while we will also have coverage of the ATP Finals in November with every match live on Sky Sports. But first, we will be across the final major of the year in New York as the US Open gets underway on August 27, right through to the final with live blogs, reports, features and reaction.
