Zimpapers Logo

CINCINNATI. — Rafael Nadal’s disaster comeback match on Wednesday at the Cincinnati Masters tennis tournament leaves the Spaniard lagging in the chase for the top ATP ranking.

Nadal was ambushed 7-6 (11/9), 4-6, 6-3 in his second-round start by Croat Borna Coric, ending his hopes of overtaking Daniil Medvedev for the world No. 1 rankings.

Top seed Medvedev, who played yesterday for a quarter-final spot against Denis Shapovalov, can tighten his grip on his current top position heading into the US Open.

Third-ranked Nadal was rocked by his loss after six weeks away as he healed an abdominal muscle injury that forced his withdrawal from a Wimbledon semi-final against Nick Kyrgios. 

Now Nadal goes into the US Open, which begins on August 29 in New York, with only one summer hardcourt match. — AFP.