Rafael Nadal: It’s like a lottery

Rafael Nadal disposed of Fernando González in emphatic fashion in the quarter finals of the US Open after play was suspended due to rain on Thursday.

The Spaniard led 3-2 in the second set tiebreaker when the heavens opened one-and-a-half days ago, but the world number three sealed his place in the semis with the final set lasting only 31 minutes.

Speaking after his 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2), 6-0 victory, Nadal explained how resuming play after such a long delay is ‘like a lottery’.

“When you come back in one situation like today, anything can happen, because it’s a little bit like a lottery,” said Nadal.

“It depends on the first two points. And this is not play well or play bad. You feel good in these two points or not. Important thing is to be ready to accept everything, and try to arrive there knowing what to do.”

The US Open is the only Grand Slam that the 23-year-old is yet to win, and he believes that even if he doesn’t manage it this year, he will have plenty more opportunities ahead of him.

“I am 23 years old,” he said. “So I expect to have a lot of years to be here fighting to win this tournament. I going to try all my life.”