'What in the world': Rafael Nadal's bizarre disappearing act at US Open
It’s little wonder Nick Kyrgios serves underarm against Rafael Nadal.
The Spanish champion resorted to extraordinary tactics in his fourth-round win over Marin Cilic at the US Open on Monday.
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In an attempt to combat the Croatian’s massive serve, Nadal was standing way behind the baseline.
The World No.2 was so far back that one linesman had to change his position, and you could barely see Nadal while watching on TV.
When Nadal was at the bottom of the screen and Cilic served out wide, Nadal would literally disappear from view in order to return the ball.
Fans certainly noticed and took to social media to comment.
What in the world is Nadal standing almost back against the far wall? Even on Cilic's second serve!
— GLS (@stiensr) September 3, 2019
Nadal is returning serve basically from the wall. He is barely visible on the screen.
— sarah dufrau (@dufrau) September 2, 2019
Nadal can barely be seen on the screen with his return position.
— Draden (@DradenHaven) September 3, 2019
nadal is so far back, he's almost not on the tv screen. underhand serve, come through please #USOpen
— DT3 (@dabigjoker) September 3, 2019
#USOpen Since the start of 2017, when Nadal's opponent steps up and starts to take the ball earlier, move into the court, a la Cilic, Federer, Nadal retreats back far behind the baseline. Works at Roland Garros and on clay, but everywhere else, it's a risky proposition.
— Timmy Lew (@TimmyLew11) September 3, 2019
#tennistweet LOL Nadal is playing so far back on Cilic's serve that he's hidden behind the score graphic pic.twitter.com/Ng8qWiSf3p
— Marc Masters (@Marcissist) September 3, 2019
It’s certainly not the first time we’ve seen this from Nadal, and was a major factor when Kyrgios started serving underarm.
Because Nadal was so far back, Kyrgios played a number of underarm serves during recent clashes in Mexico and at Wimbledon.
The tactic is still divisive among fans and pundits, but who can blame Kyrgios when Nadal is almost in the front row of the crowd?
Zverev latest young gun to crash
Meanwhile, sixth-seeded Alexander Zverev doubled-faulted 17 times in his round of 16 exit to Diego Schwartzman.
The Argentine took full advantage of his German opponent's service issues to close out a 3-6 6-2 6-4 6-3 victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium in three hours and eight minutes.
Zverev's serving problems have dogged him for months and they came back in force against Schwartzman, who advanced to the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows for the second time in the past three years.
The diminutive 20th seed broke serve eight times with the almost two metre-tall Zverev winning just 32 per cent of second-serve points and amassing 65 unforced errors.
"Alex had many problems with his serve. I am a big returner and took my chances," Schwartzman said.
"That helped me a lot. I knew I had the chance to win this match."
Earlier on Monday, Matteo Berrettini, the 24th seed, roared through to the last eight of a grand slam for the first time with a clinical 6-1 6-4 7-6 (8-6) win over Andrey Rublev.
with AAP
