LIVE: Nadal Takes Early Lead

Rafael Nadal and Kevin Anderson are battling for the US Open title on a brisk late Sunday afternoon in New York. The top-seeded Spaniard leads 6-3.

With the roof open on Arthur Ashe Stadium, two-time champion Nadal and Grand Slam final debutant Anderson are meeting for the fifth time in their FedEx ATP Head2Head. The Spaniard leads 4-0.

Nadal is bidding for his 16th major crown, while the big-hitting Anderson is eyeing his first. The South African is the first from his country in a major title match since Kevin Curren at the 1984 Australian Open.

FIRST SET – Nadal 6-3
Anderson had claimed just one set in four previous meetings against Nadal, but the 31 year old is a much different player than he was in those encounters. Playing more aggressive tennis throughout the fortnight, he looked to pummel his forehand through Nadal’s defences and maintain a high first-serve percentage.

Relying on his superior agility from the back of the court, Nadal conjured a pair of break points at 1-all. A backhand lob return winner landed just inside the baseline as Anderson attacked the net with a serve-and-volley approach. With celebrities Rupert Murdoch, Jerry Seinfeld, Hilary Swank, Tony Bennett and Bill Gates in attendance, Anderson earned a gritty 12-minute hold.

Both players looked to open the court with wide angles, but Nadal’s dogged defence and court coverage refused to allow his opponent to find consistent success from the baseline. Anderson struck 20 unforced errors to Nadal’s four through the first seven games of the match, as the World No. 1 broke for 4-3.

A second break would close out the set after 58 minutes, as a net-charging Nadal struck a backhand winner. He won seven of seven net points in the opener.

DID YOU KNOW?
• Sunday’s champion will be the fifth straight Grand Slam winner 30 & over going back to last year’s US Open where Stan Wawrinka (31) captured the title.

• This is the first US Open final to feature a pair of 30 & over players since 2002 when Pete Sampras (31) defeated Andre Agassi (32).

• The Big Four of Nadal, Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray has won 45 of the last 50 Grand Slam tournament titles. Anderson is trying to become only the fourth player to break through and join former US Open champions Juan Martin del Potro, Marin Cilic and Wawrinka during that stretch.

• Kevin Anderson uses the same sports psychologist – Alexis Castorri – as Andy Murray did when the Scot claimed his maiden US Open title in 2012.