Recovering Nadal Blasts Into Fourth Round

Second seed Rafael Nadal continued to overcome knee problems at the U.S. Open.

Second seed Rafael Nadal continued to overcome knee problems at the U.S. Open on Sunday when he outclassed Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 6-2 6-1 to reach the fourth round.

The Spaniard, who almost pulled out of the event because of tendinitis in his left knee, looked much happier and eased into the last 16 after just over two hours.

World number 74 Tsonga matched Nadal early on but once the Spaniard had taken the first-set tiebreak 7-3, the result was never in doubt.

Nadal stormed through the third set to set up a match with fellow Spaniard David Ferrer, who saved a match point before beating Argentine David Nalbandian 6-3 3-6 4-6 7-6 7-5.