Rafael Nadal: Rafa's Second Round Win Not Enough to Restore Broken Confidence

Rafael Nadal has easily cruised in his first two matches at the 2011 US Open, but he is still not the same player that won this tournament a year ago. As a result, there will be no repeat for Nadal. 

Nadal was dominant in his second-round win over Nicolas Mahut. He was so dominant that Mahut decided to quit after that second set. Well, he actually cited injury, but he might as well have cited, "no hope to win." 

Nadal won the first two sets 6-2, 6-2.

However, these early matches are not where Nadal's recent struggles are expected to reveal themselves.

Nadal's game has been deteriorating since his his troublesome foot pain flared up at Wimbledon, and it has altered his mental approach.

While Nadal has been able to fight through the foot pain, he has not been the same. It has robbed him him of some of his explosion.

Following his foot injury, he also suffered burns on his finger that have plagued his game.

He has performed admirably, but instead of getting better, Nadal's game is headed in the wrong direction.

The injury has now moved into his head. You don't have to take my word for this. Nadal admits as much, telling The Guardian:

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"My movements are not perfect, [there are] more mistakes than usual with the forehand. I have to play more inside the court, more aggressive."

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Nadal is currently in the middle of tweaking his on-court play, and it has shown in his results. This a disturbing trend, and one that is not easily reversed. He was ousted in the quarterfinals at the Cincinnati Masters. That was just two short weeks ago, and that is not enough time for Nadal to iron out his deficiencies at the US Open.

While he looks solid early, he is yet to be tested. It is in the close matches and long rallies where his doubt in his body will become evident.