Rafael Nadal was left bloodied during his second-round US Open win over Fabio Fognini after the world no3 unintentionally hit himself in the face midway through the fourth set.
The King of Clay, 36, was returning a backhand in the opening point of the fourth game when his racket smashed into the Flushing Meadows hard court with the ricochet bouncing the frame back into his face.
The incident left Nadal gushing blood from the bridge of his nose and the Spaniard was forced to take a lengthy medical timeout, returning with a plaster on the affected area.READ MORE: Rafael Nadal's wife admitted to hospital and will not support him at US OpenReturning to the Arthur Ashe Stadium court, Nadal recovered to claim a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 victory and seal his place in the third round of the US Open.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner, four of them coming at Flushing Meadows, is scheduled to face Richard Gasquet on Saturday where he will look to maintain his unbeaten major status in 2022.Nadal claimed victories in the opening two Grand Slams in Melbourne and Paris before retiring in the semi-finals of Wimbledon to hand opponent Nick Kyrgios a first-ever last-four walkover. HAVE YOUR SAY!
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