Tue, 26 August 2008 at 6:26 am

Rafael Nadal Takes On U.S. Open

Rafael Nadal of Spain plays his match against Bjorn Phau of Germany during Day 1 of the 2008 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, New York on Monday.

The Wimbledon and French Open champ at one point needed to bandage a nasty blister, but eventually won 7-6 (4), 6-3, 7-6 (4).

“I think I need the (crowd) support a little bit this year,” the 22-year-old said. “(But) I still believe it’s an advantage if you know how to win a US Open. It’s a tough tournament to win.”

10+ more pics inside of Rafael Nadal taking on the U.S. Open…

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Photos: INFdaily, HRC/WENN
Posted to: Rafael Nadal
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24 Comments

# 1

Dina @ 08/26/2008 at 6:59 am

Enhorabuena campeon! Majo!

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# 2

FC @ 08/26/2008 at 7:03 am

VAMOS RAFA!!!!

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# 3

Miley and nick fan @ 08/26/2008 at 7:15 am

vamooooooooos rafa

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# 4

Julien @ 08/26/2008 at 7:28 am

My girlfriend who is Spanish loves this guy…which means I absolutly hate him!!!
http://mylifeiscrap.com

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# 5

e @ 08/26/2008 at 7:42 am

Vamos Rafa! Vamooos campeón!

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# 6

Eyda @ 08/26/2008 at 8:03 am

Federer will win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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# 7

ñññ @ 08/26/2008 at 8:06 am

he is a great player and great person

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# 8

ANA @ 08/26/2008 at 8:10 am

VAMOS RAFA VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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# 9

maria @ 08/26/2008 at 8:21 am

vamos rafaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

España te quiere campeón!

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# 10

Kayla @ 08/26/2008 at 9:51 am

ok number 4, ur gf is “hispanic” who speaks spanish…..

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# 11

Tealeaf @ 08/26/2008 at 10:51 am

Nice arms.

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# 12

no-nick @ 08/26/2008 at 10:53 am

Not this guy again.

Give us Roger!

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# 13

flutters @ 08/26/2008 at 12:15 pm

Rafa’s great but the quote about it being an advantage to know how to win the US Open came from Roger Federer, not Rafa.

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# 14

bekah @ 08/26/2008 at 12:24 pm

vamos rafaa!!!!
i love him, he’s so hot.
:]

i like him alot better than federer.

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# 15

gizmatage @ 08/26/2008 at 3:18 pm

Jeez, Rafa’s publicists must be working the media. Didn’t remember seeing this much picture of non-America tennis players before. And Roger Federer was #1 and was the dominant force in Tennis for 4.5 years.

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# 16

dannyc @ 08/26/2008 at 4:30 pm

Hey gizmatage,

I’m glad to see the U.S. media is “working” Rafa — deservingly so because he’s the new #1, and Olympic Gold, Wimby, French champion!.

Phelps is a huge Rafa’s fan (as I watched the interview and that what Phelps said). If Phelps could openly admit himself as a Rafa’s fan, that says something…both are great champions!!!!

Good luck Rafa at the US Open…VAMOS RAFA!!!!

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# 17

Halli @ 08/26/2008 at 5:17 pm

Watching Serena kicking some Bondarenko butt right now. Can’t wait to see Roger play later tonight.

Jared, if Roger wins this game. You better post it. I’m seeing way too much Nadal bias on this sight lately. Tisk Tisk. :-)

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# 18

Halli @ 08/26/2008 at 5:41 pm

Also, how about some love for the Williams sisters, they’ve been playing some of their best tennis in years this season? Love you Jared, been on your blog since it was on Blogspot!

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# 19

anna @ 08/26/2008 at 6:30 pm

LOVE RAFA! He better win the Open! Actually, I’d be happier if Roddick won, but I am trying to be realistic here. ;) haha, so I think Rafa should get it. I am so happy he won the gold in Beijing!!!

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# 20

sg @ 08/26/2008 at 9:50 pm

That quote is from Federer’s interview… give us some pictures of ROGER pleeeeeeeeeeese….

VAMOS ROGER!!!!!

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# 21

thesil @ 08/27/2008 at 2:40 pm

Rafa! Rafa!
He is the new number 1 of the world. He is the best tennis player!
He is adorable and a good person.
I admire him.

I hope he is winning the US Open!
Vamos Rafa! España te quiere!

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# 22