US Open: A look at 5 big upsets in the last decade

Modified Aug 26, 2019 11:42 GMT

Roger Federer has suffered more shocking upsets than any other top player in the past decade

#2 2015 Third Round: Fognini beats Nadal 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4

Rafael Nadal made a bright start to his face-off against Fabio Fognini in the third round of the 2015 US Open, where he led by two sets and a break in the third. But the Italian seemed to momentarily stall Nadal's victory bid by taking five of the last six games to take the third set.

Trailing two-sets-to-one, Fognini faced an uphill task against a player who had never lost a Grand Slam match on 152 previous occasions after taking a two-set lead.

The Italian failed to rein down his unforced errors but produced more winners to take the match to a decider where Fognini thrice led by a break, only for Nadal to recover the break back in the very next game each time.

Fognini's heavy hitting forced a fourth break of the Nadal serve in the fifth set. The Spaniard was powerless to retrieve the break and the Italian held serve to record one of the finest wins of his career to reach his first fourth round at the US Open.

Defeat to the Italian ended Nadal's record of winning a Grand Slam in ten consecutive years.

About the author

Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 18 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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