US Open: Rafael Nadal keen to avenge defeat to Borna Coric
Monday 31 August 2015 15:40, UK
Rafael Nadal says he is in good form and is eager to avenge his previous defeat to teenager Borna Coric when the two meet in the first round of the US Open.
The Spaniard, who is seeded eighth at Flushing Meadows this year, lost to the 18-year-old in their only meeting in Basel last year.
Nadal won the US Open in 2010 and 2013 but was forced to miss the tournament last year through injury.
He will begin his campaign against the young Croatian live on Sky Sports late on Monday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium and says he is in a different place compared to the last time the pair met.
"I had great memories the last time I played here; I feel great here," Nadal said. "I love the tournament and I have been practising well during the whole week and with a positive memory.
"He's a great player; a young one with a lot of energy, a very good competitor so it will be a tough one.
"The moment that I had in Basel is completely different to this one. I hope to be ready for the competition and the first round. I am playing well, I think, so let's try to be ready."
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Coric, ranked 33 in the world, is considered one of the game's most promising talents and Nadal is expecting to face a tough opponent.
"He's one of the players that is the future of our sport so it's a tough one but I'm playing well. I feel like I'm ready," Nadal said. "He's a complete player with a great serve and a very good backhand.
"I don't remember playing him before. It was a tough week for me. I had the surgery the week after. I don't remember it very well but I think I played very bad."
You can watch live coverage of the US Open, starting at 4pm on Monday, August 31 on Sky Sports 1.
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