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Rafael Nadal Easily Wins To Reach 4th Round At US Open

NEW YORK (AP) -- With a spectacular `tweener lob to get to match point, Rafael Nadal easily won again at the U.S. Open to reach the fourth round for the first time since winning the 2013 title.

Nadal was troubled only by his six double-faults during a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory over 47th-ranked Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia on Friday night and has won all nine sets he's played this week.

The owner of 14 Grand Slam trophies, including two at Flushing Meadows, Nadal hadn't been to the fourth round at any major tournament since the 2015 French Open.

Closing in on victory against Kuznetsov, Nadal raced toward the baseline and, his back to the net, flicked a lob through his legs, eventually taking that point. When it ended, Nadal punched the air and spread his arms wide, pumping his fists.

During his on-court interview afterward, Nadal said he was lucky the trick shot went in.

(Copyright 2016 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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