Nadal seeks second straight US Open title

Halep brimming with confidence

AFP, NEW YORK: World number one Rafael Nadal is feeling rested and ready as he looks to defend his US Open title.

The Spaniard has put together back-to-back major crowns only at the French Open -- where he has won 11 of his 17 Grand Slam titles.

A year ago at Flushing Meadows, he mowed down a men's field that was missing five of the top-ranked 11 men, with Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and 2016 US Open champion Stan Wawrinka among the injured absentees.

His brutally one-sided victory over South African Kevin Anderson in his third Grand Slam final of the year gave him a second major of 2017 -- after two years in which he failed to reach a Slam final.

“Last year has been a very special year after a couple of years,” Nadal said Friday. "2015 was not a positive year in terms of level of tennis, 2016 I was playing good tennis but I got injured.

“Had the chance to get back in 2017. Of course I won on clay, but then to win on hard again is something that means a lot to me, especially here in New York.”

This year the men's field features a full complement of the world's top-ranked players and seven former US Open champions, but Nadal believes he's had an ideal build up, starting with a hardcourt Masters title in Toronto.

“That's important for the feelings, for the confidence,” Nadal said. "That gave me a chance to rest the week after in Cincinnati.”

After scooping his 80th career title -- and his 33rd Masters 1000 -- the 32-year-old pulled out of Cincinnati to focus on his US Open prep.

“I was resting from competing, not resting from working,” said Nadal, adding that as the tournament draws closer the signs are all encouraging.

“The last couple of days (before the tournament) is the moment to understand, that you really realize if you are better, you are worse -- when you start to put the full mind on what you're doing.”

He's set to open his campaign on Monday with what promises to be an emotional 31st career encounter with his good friend and Davis Cup teammate David Ferrer, a former world number three who has slipped out of the top 100 and will retire at the end of the year.

The quarter-finals could bring a rematch of last year's final against fifth-seeded Anderson -- who reached the final at Wimbledon this year.

Despite last year's lopsided victory, Nadal said Anderson would pose a serious threat.

“He's a player that's always improving,” Nadal said of Anderson. “He plays so aggressive. He has a huge serve. He's one of these players that are dangerous for everybody.”

Meanwhile, Simona Halep, her number one ranking secure and a Grand Slam title on her resume, is riding high heading into the US Open but that doesn't mean she's taking anything for granted.

“I don't feel the pressure,” said the 26-year-old Romanian, whose intensity on the court hasn't always worked to her advantage.

A victory in the French Open -- after disappointments in three Grand Slam finals -- confirmed for Halep that she had truly arrived at the top.

“Inside myself something changed,” she said. "I'm more relaxed. These two were my dreams -- to be number one in the world and to win a Grand Slam. Always I say number one in the world without a Grand Slam, you are not a real number one.

“After the French Open, I really started to believe that I'm a real number one.”

That ranking isn't in jeopardy at the final Grand Slam of the year, but Halep is under no illusion as to how difficult it will be to claim a second major.

“I can say I have a big chance for this tournament, but it's tough to say that I'm the favorite even if I'm No. 1,” she said. "Everyone is playing at maybe the highest level. Every match, every round is difficult.

“I'm just looking forward to playing my first one. If I win it, I will focus on the next one, just like that.”

It's a tried and true approach, and a perhaps a wise one for a player who could come up against 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams in the fourth round.

If she makes it, the semi-finals could produce a third clash of 2018 with defending US Open champion Sloane Stephens.

The two have proved compelling rivals, with Halep getting the better of the American in the Roland Garros final and again in a rollercoaster final in Montreal two weeks ago.

But Stephens is reluctant to call it a "rivalry," glumly noting Friday that "it's not a rivalry if you don't beat the person".

Nadal seeks second straight US Open title

Halep brimming with confidence

AFP, NEW YORK: World number one Rafael Nadal is feeling rested and ready as he looks to defend his US Open title. The Spaniard has put together back-to-back major crowns only at the French Open -- where he has won 11 of his 17 Grand Slam titles. A year ago at Flushing Meadows, he mowed down a mens field that was missing five of the top-ranked 11 men, with Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and 2016 US Open champion Stan Wawrinka among the injured absentees. His brutally one-sided victory over South African Kevin Anderson in his third Grand Slam final of the year gave him a second major of 2017 -- after two years in which he failed to reach a Slam final. Last year has been a very special year after a couple of years, Nadal said Friday. 2015 was not a positive year in terms of level of tennis, 2016 I was playing good tennis but I got injured. Had the chance to get back in 2017. Of course I won on clay, but then to win on hard again is something that means a lot to me, especially here in New York. This year the mens field features a full complement of the worlds top-ranked players and seven former US Open champions, but Nadal believes hes had an ideal build up, starting with a hardcourt Masters title in Toronto. Thats important for the feelings, for the confidence, Nadal said. That gave me a chance to rest the week after in Cincinnati. After scooping his 80th career title -- and his 33rd Masters 1000 -- the 32-year-old pulled out of Cincinnati to focus on his US Open prep. I was resting from competing, not resting from working, said Nadal, adding that as the tournament draws closer the signs are all encouraging. The last couple of days (before the tournament) is the moment to understand, that you really realize if you are better, you are worse -- when you start to put the full mind on what youre doing. Hes set to open his campaign on Monday with what promises to be an emotional 31st career encounter with his good friend and Davis Cup teammate David Ferrer, a former world number three who has slipped out of the top 100 and will retire at the end of the year. The quarter-finals could bring a rematch of last years final against fifth-seeded Anderson -- who reached the final at Wimbledon this year. Despite last years lopsided victory, Nadal said Anderson would pose a serious threat. Hes a player thats always improving, Nadal said of Anderson. He plays so aggressive. He has a huge serve. Hes one of these players that are dangerous for everybody. Meanwhile, Simona Halep, her number one ranking secure and a Grand Slam title on her resume, is riding high heading into the US Open but that doesnt mean shes taking anything for granted. I dont feel the pressure, said the 26-year-old Romanian, whose intensity on the court hasnt always worked to her advantage. A victory in the French Open -- after disappointments in three Grand Slam finals -- confirmed for Halep that she had truly arrived at the top. Inside myself something changed, she said. Im more relaxed. These two were my dreams -- to be number one in the world and to win a Grand Slam. Always I say number one in the world without a Grand Slam, you are not a real number one. After the French Open, I really started to believe that Im a real number one. That ranking isnt in jeopardy at the final Grand Slam of the year, but Halep is under no illusion as to how difficult it will be to claim a second major. I can say I have a big chance for this tournament, but its tough to say that Im the favorite even if Im No. 1, she said. Everyone is playing at maybe the highest level. Every match, every round is difficult. Im just looking forward to playing my first one. If I win it, I will focus on the next one, just like that. Its a tried and true approach, and a perhaps a wise one for a player who could come up against 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams in the fourth round. If she makes it, the semi-finals could produce a third clash of 2018 with defending US Open champion Sloane Stephens. The two have proved compelling rivals, with Halep getting the better of the American in the Roland Garros final and again in a rollercoaster final in Montreal two weeks ago. But Stephens is reluctant to call it a rivalry, glumly noting Friday that its not a rivalry if you dont beat the person.