Rafael Nadal cruises to third U.S. Open title in straight sets over Kevin Anderson

Rafael Nadal has claimed his third U.S. Open title and 16th Grand Slam singles title after demolishing South Africa’s Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in a straight set on Sunday.

While his battling South African opponent kept the contest from being a complete blowout, there was never a single moment when Nadal was under threat.

Anderson ranked 28th tested Nadal early as the two split the first six games of the match. But an unforced error from Anderson handed Nadal a welcome break point and the world’s No. 1 player did not look back as Anderson committed 20 in the first set alone, compared to Nadal’s four.

Nadal, 31 needed just 39 minutes to finish off the second set, winning four of four net points to push his ratio to 11-for-11 for the match.

The Spanard’s service game was brutally efficient, especially to close out, as the won 57 of 73 points overall.

It was more the conundrum of playing Rafa as opposed to being in my first final, said Anderson.

His competitiveness, consistency at that level. He never goes away.

Having captured his third U.S. Open title, Nadal made it very clear to his rivals that he would indeed not be going away any time soon. Although he did not count it as one of his primary objectives, he did not dismiss the possibility of one day surpassing Federer’s grand slam haul of 19 titles.

I really don’t think much about these kind of things. I do my way, he does his way, said Nadal.

I’m very happy with all the things that are happening to me, win this title again.

I still have the passion and the love for the game. I still want to compete and still feel the nerves every time that I go on court. While these things keep happening, I will be here.

Well done for Roger that he is having an amazing season too and well done for me because I’m having a great season too.

Let’s see what happens.

The win marks the fourth time Nadal has won at least two major titles in a year and just the seventh time since tennis went professional in 1968 that a men’s grand slam final was contested by two players 30 and over.