US Open: Ferrer gives up: Defending champion Nadal saves his strength

Defending champion Rafael Nadal has reached the second round of the US Open on a short working day. The world number one from Spain benefited at 6:3, 3:4 from the task of his compatriot David Ferrer, who had injured himself on the calf.

Nadal (32) will face the Canadian Vasek Pospisil in the second round on Wednesday. Ferrer (36) ends his career at the end of the year.

“I’m really sorry for him,” said Nadal: “He’s one of my closest friends on the tour. We have experienced many emotional moments together. He’s one of the greatest players in our country. Too bad things are going to end like this for him.” In 2013 Nadal and Ferrer faced each other in the final of the French Open – with the better end for Nadal. Together they won the Davis Cup for Spain.

Nadal’s opponent in last year’s final had a lot more to do in New York. The fifth seeded Kevin Anderson from South Africa fought his way into the second round in 4:14 hours. The Wimbledon finalist won 7:6 (7:4), 5:7, 4:6, 6:3, 6:4 against the Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.