American Ryan Harrison has had bad luck so far at Grand Slam draws, and the US Open 2013 is no exception.
The young player faced world number two Rafael Nadal in the opening round on Monday and the result was just what everyone expected. He lost.
Nadal is now 16-0 in hardcourt matches this season with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Harrison.
“I am playing well. Happy the way I was playing. I don’t know if it was the best or not, but it was very good because I was able to win,” Nadal said after the win.
Nadal did not participate at the US Open last year as he was still recuperating from his knee injury. He also pulled out of the Australian Open last January due to a stomach ailment.
The Spaniard is now the heavy favorite to win the US Open title. He won two back-to-back hardcourt ATP Masters 1000 events in Montreal and Cincinnati before coming to New York. He’s aiming for a second career US Open title.
“We go day to day,” Nadal said. “Two tournaments before winning is great for my career because both tournaments are very important ones. But that (doesn’t) mean I will play great here. That means that I am doing the right things.”
As for Harrison, this is just one of those Grand Slams where he is drawn against top ten players.
“From what I see, and what I gather, these top guys are really, really good at peaking at the slams,” Harrison said. “They know how to get their best out of it.”
Despite being drawn with the likes of Nadal, Juan Martin Del Potro, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic in the early rounds of the major, Harrison has a different insight to share.
“I’m 21. I’m excited. Every single time I get to play a match like this, it’s hard not to be excited,” he said.
