Us Open Tennis Tickets - Rafael Nadal Back On Top At No. 1

Spanish netter Rafael Nadal has had a long road to recovery over the last year while

dealing with tendonitis in his knee, but the tennis pro is finally standing tall atop the ATP men's tennis rankings once again. Nadal snatched the No. 1 title from on-court nemesis Roger Federer after winning the French Open in early June (Federer was defeated in the quarterfinals), and now he'll look to another upcoming Grand Slam, the US Open, in attempts to win his first career tournament at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Rafa climbed back on top of the pro circuit in early June after a convincing win in straight sets (6-4, 6-8, 6-4) against Sweden's Robin Soderling at the finals in the French Open, snagging his fifth title at Roland Garros. Now 38-1 at the French Open, Nadal's recent victory inked him into record books as the third fastest player to win seven Grand Slam titles (behind Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe). The USA Today reported that Nadal got emotional after his win at Roland Garros, sobbing into his towel and proclaiming to the crowd, "It's the most emotional day in my career."

Nadal's momentous win at the French Open solidified his name as the king of clay courts, but will he be able to keep up on grass at Wimbledon and then on the hard court at the US Open later this summer? Tennis fans are already getting excited for Nadal's upcoming tournaments, and aficionados in the U.S. are running out to get US Open Tennis tickets to watch him play at this year's finals match in Flushing.

Last year, Rafa came close to winning his first US Open but ultimately fell to Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro in the semifinals. Del Potro wound up beating Roger Federer 3-6, 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 in the finals to win his first career Grand Slam title, also becoming the fifth youngest man to win the US Open. Both Nadal and Federer are out to avenge loses to del Potro at this year's US Open, but with Federer playing dismally as of late, Nadal could have a better chance at hoisting the trophy after the finals match in New York later this summer.

If Nadal can outlast competitors like Federer, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick and Novak Djokovic at the 2010 US Open, he will have won all four Opens - a huge task for any tennis player. Nadal will be a leading figure drawing crowds to Flushing, N.Y. this August for the start of the US Open, which runs Aug. 31-Sept. 13, 2010 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Historically, Roger Federer has been a much better player at the US Open than Rafael Nadal, as the Switzerland native has won five of the last six US Open tournaments. Putting his lukewarm tournament play at the French Open behind him, Federer is gearing up for the US Open after Wimbledon this summer. This year's Open could very well come down to Federer v. Nadal, and Wimbledon could also bring both players against one another on the court yet again. Federer is the reigning champ at Wimbledon, but with Nadal back and healthy the tournament is anyone's for the taking.

by: Pat Smith

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