New Delhi: In a heartbreaking moment at the US Open 2016, Rafael Nadal was knocked out in his fourth-round match against Frenchman Lucas Pouille.
It was indeed a memorable result for 22-year-old Pouille, but Rafa's exit was painful for the fans, who were anxiously waiting for his semi-final match with World No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
The Spaniard's early exit was the last thing fans wanted after Roger Federer had pulled out of the tournament due to an injury.
Interestingly, both Rafa and Nole were not 100 percent fit going into the tournament.
Both the players have been struggling with their left wrists lately.
Nadal, who missed Wimbledon earlier this year with a wrist injury that forced him to quit after two rounds of the French Open, had not dropped a set on his way to the last 16. He won a gold medal in doubles at Rio Olympics 2016 as well.
Djokovic, on the other hand, had been a bit lucky as he had played just two complete matches at Flushing Meadows this year going into his fourth match of the tournament.
While he had a second-round walkover as Czech Jiri Vesely withdrew due to injury, he was leading 4-2 in his third-round match when Russian Mikhail Youzhny retired with a leg ailment.
The Serb advanced to the quarters with a comprehensive 6-2 6-1 6-4 win over Britain's Kyle Edmund.
Rafa might not have been in the best of form, but he tends to unleash his best with Djokovic on the other side of the net.
The two have enthralled the tennis fans with some sensational matches, Australian Open 2012 final being one of the best.
The only match fans can now look forward to is the final between Djokovic and Andy Murray, only if everything goes according to plan.
