Results tagged “rafaelnadal”

Last night out in Flushing Meadows, the US Open witnessed an event in sports that is relatively unheard of: Following Rafael Nadal's four set win in Arthur Ashe Stadium, a male fan rushed the court and planted a kiss on the Spanish superstar. What's more than that—Nadal seemed to have no problem with it whatsoever. The video below shows the modern day Morganno rushing the court as soon as Rafa went shirts-off time immediately after his match concluded.

• Blue Jays 14, Yankees 8: Even a first-place team can look like last-place ones. All it has to do is start Sergio Mitre, play terrible defense and play backups for half the game because it has a day-night doubleheader the next day. The Yankees led this game, 5-4 at one point, but then Mitre and Mark Melancon had enough of that. Derek Jeter had three hits, leaving him three shy of Lou Gehrig's Yankees record. The Yankees start a long homestand with two against Tampa Bay on Monday.

If not for a five-set loss in the Australian Open final, Roger Federer would be rolling into Flushing Meadows with a chance for a true Grand Slam. But that loss to Rafael Nadal means Federer, who won the French Open and Wimbledon, will be looking for "only" his third major championship of the year and his sixth straight title in Queens. Not bad for a player written off during the American hardcourt season in March. Nadal lost in Paris as the four-time defending champion in the fourth round and didn't even play Wimbledon because of patellar tendinitis in both knees. Since returning earlier this month, he hasn't looked sharp in two hardcourt events in Montreal and Cincinnati.

Roger Federer has won the last four U.S. Open titles, but he won't be the favorite when the tournament starts tomorrow at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing. That honor will go to Rafael Nadal, the new world No. 1 and winner of the French Open, Wimbledon and the Olympics this summer. Federer, 27, has looked mortal or worse this season, and Nadal, 22, has peaked while displaying an all-surface versatility that had eluded him in previous summers. For the first time since the 2004 Australian Open, Federer will not be the top seed at a Grand Slam event.

Move over Madonna, you may be 50 now, but newly divorced Christie Brinkley's 54 and sans scary arms, in fact, "her hair is thick and golden, her skin is tanned but only just. Her teeth are gleaming, her waist is narrow." That's all according to the opening paragraphs in the uptown girl's cover story in New York magazine's current style issue. Rafael Nadal graces the back cover, and we learn all about his pirate look, "he’s managed to create what might be the most original look in men’s tennis history: sleeveless tees, shin-length pants, and bandannas tied with a cheeky flourish." There's also a feature on some New York folks (with tie racks the size of a studio apartment) and a look inside their closets.

Tom Glavine contributed at both ends, driving in the first run of the game and allowing only one run in six innings. David Wright added his 25th home run of the year, driving in Jose Reyes.

The best part about the end of summer? Maybe that's the U.S. Open, which starts Monday in Flushing. The tennis season's final Grand Slam provides the players with a grueling test to cap what feels like a condensed hard-court season.

He didn't shine as brightly as he has in other matches, but Roger Federer took care of James Blake in four sets Thursday. The world No. 1 and two-time defending champ sprayed his forehand on big shots, but he held off Blake and the crowd. His tennis hasn't shined during the fortnight, but with his nemesis Rafael Nadal out of the draw, it's easily Federer's tournament to lose. As for Blake, he still doesn't have a big win in his career, and if Federer played his best, the match would have ended in straight sets.

After rain washed out Tuesday's action, plenty of tennis made up for the lost time on Wednesday. Mikhail Youzhny took out Rafael Nadal in four sets, opening the draw for Andy Roddick, who disposed of Lleyton Hewitt. Roddick has enjoyed a resurgence since he hired Jimmy Connors. His backhand has improved -- it couldn't get worse -- and his attitude has changed. Could Roddick beat Roger Federer if they met in the final on Sunday? Their history doesn't suggest so, but it would be the most intriguing match.