US Open 2015: Rafael Nadal hits back at critics after win over Diego Schwartzman

Rafael Nadal hits a return to Diego Schwartzman during his second-round victory at Flushing Meadows. Photograph: Imago / Barcroft Media/Imago / Barcroft Media

•   Nadal through to third round at Flushing Meadows 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, 7-5
• Spaniard defends his ‘honesty’ in discussions over dip in form

RAFAEL Nadal believes criticism of his form this year has gone too far. Nadal moved into the third round of the US Open on Wednesday with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, 7-5 victory over Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman, which followed an impressive opening win over the talented Croat Borna Coric in round one.

It marks an encouraging start at Flushing Meadows for the Spaniard, who has fallen below his high standards this season, losing 14 matches and failing to go past the quarter-final of any of the three grand slams so far.
Dropping to No8 in the world means Nadal could meet Novak Djokovic as early as the quarter-finals in New York, but the 29-year-old reacted angrily after the match when asked again about his recent decline.

“I am No8 in the world. I am not No100,” Nadal said. “It seems like I am No200 in every press conference. I am not so bad. After I arrive here with the victory, I go back to the locker room saying how bad I am. Every day.

“For the fans, it is normal that they are worried because I am worried, too. If I am not playing well, I am the first one who worries.”

Nadal admitted to a loss of confidence earlier this year following March’s surprise defeat to his fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in Miami and he believes he has suffered as a result of his honesty.

“It seems like I come here and if I am telling the truth, it is bad,” Nadal said. “If I explain if I am playing with nerves or with anxiety, like I did in Miami, and I say that after in the press conference, then I don’t know what you want of me.

“People say: ‘Why do you say that? Why are you that honest? You give confidence to the opponent.’

“I believe what happens outside the court, what we are talking about here, is going to effect zero per cent the next result. The thing is you play well, you have chances to win; you play bad, you will lose. The sport is simple.”
It proved a simple victory over Schwartzman, who was unable to keep pace with his opponent’s superior power and, despite an early break in the third set, the Argentinian succumbed in two hours 41 minutes.

In round three Nadal will play the unpredictable Italian Fabio Fognini, to whom he has already lost twice this year, in Barcelona and Rio de Janeiro.

“He beat me twice this year. Before he didn’t beat me,” Nadal said. “He’s a big, talented player. He’s a tough opponent for everybody when he’s playing well, not only for me.”

Also safely through to round three are Marin Cilic – the defending champion – David Ferrer and Milos Raonic but the 17th seed, Grigor Dimitrov, is out after he was beaten in five sets by Mikhail Kukushkin.-Guardian.com