To Conquer the Spaniard

151-0.  Not too shabby a record, is it?  No, it's actually remarkable, ridiculous, and damn near borders on miraculous that Rafael Nadal had compiled such a mark when going up two sets to love in Grand Slam matches.  So many opportunities for the best players in the world to climb Everest, to write history on the world's most revered courts, to forever have a fantastic tale to tell, but the Spaniard would give no quarter.  Over the years, the challenge lost much of its romantic charm and simply became mission impossible.  In the early hours of Saturday morning at the 2015 U.S. Open, though, Italy's Fabio Fognini would transform into the Lion with courage enough to ignore the sight of it's own blood, to claw back, and to finally take dead aim at the Gladiator.  Fognini shocked Nadal in front of a condensed, tennis-delirious Ashe Stadium audience, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

How could Fabio Fognini be the one to do the deed?  The career underachiever?  The clay-court specialist who disdains asphalt?  The head case?  Talent, for one, and Fogs has it in spades.  Some seriously sinister magic was cast from his Babolat last night/this morning, as Fabio consistently outpaced Rafa from the baseline and painted lines like Leonardo for a whopping 70 winners.  Having beaten Nadal twice in 2015, already, Fognini could certainly sip from a reservoir of belief not afforded to many others, but there is also little doubt that the Sanremo native dug to new depths in order to make history.  Fogs' confidence seemed severely shaken at times, especially after falling behind an early break in the third set, but he kept mostly astray of the accustomed railings at himself, the umpire, even the opponent.  His level of concentration remaining consistent, Fognini's quality of play eventually began to follow suit.

Perhaps it was the major occasion that brought about the sharper focus.  Or, perhaps it was simply the measure of the man across the net - and the true myth he'd created - that carried Fognini to new heights.  Rafael Nadal takes the court for every match with a target on his back.  He respects every opponent, expects their best shot, and that mindset has helped Rafa become the ultimate warrior in sports, PERIOD.  There is also, of course, his maniacal work rate, which was on full display against Fognini, and Rafa did not fall for lack of effort.  Nadal's court coverage was astounding, he just could not bring himself to pull the trigger near often enough, tallying a meager 30 winners.  That's been a constant theme in 2015, but one that the 14-time Slam winner has worked tirelessly to amend.  Back to the drawing board Nadal goes, knowing that other Lions are sizing him up, licking their chops.  No matter to the Spaniard.  He gives no quarter, asks no quarter.