U.S. Open Tennis 2011 Results: Rafael Nadal vs. David Nalbandian Highlights

World No. 2 Rafael Nadal may have defeated David Nalbandian in straight sets on Sunday at the U.S. Open, but it certainly wasn't any walk in the park.

Nadal, who defeated Nalbandian in two hours and 39 minutes, had to battle overwhelming humidity in New York City that caused him to change his shirt five times, call his trainer out at the beginning of the third set due to a blister on his right foot and collapse at the post-match press conference after severe cramping in his right leg.

His collapse at the press conference was alarming, but Nadal came back to the conference room shortly after and said that he was fine.

This was after Nadal burned his hand on a hot plate at a Japanese steakhouse coming into the tournament.

Nothing is easy when you're a professional tennis player. 

Result

Nadal had a lot of physical issues against Nalbandian, but it was still a commanding performance for the Spaniard, who won, 7-6 (5), 6-1, 7-5. He gave up a break early in the first set, his first sign of trouble, but was able to battle back rather effectively and go on to a solid victory.

Nadal didn't play like the Nadal of last year. His serve wasn't as dominant, but it was enough to carry him off to the fourth round. But there are some warning signs for Nadal. Last year he lost five service games in seven matches; this year, he's lost nine service games in three matches. It's not a huge deal, but it's clear he's taken a bit of a step back in 2011.

His forehand and backhand were working well, however.

Said Nadal, via SI.com:

"

"I was happy about almost everything today. I think my movements worked pretty well, and the forehand worked really well, and the backhand, too. Just when I had to win the match at 5-3, I played a really bad game there. For the rest of the match, I'm happy about everything.''

"

Storyline

Novak Djokovic has been 2011's best tennis player, there's no debating that. But it certainly doesn't help that Nadal, who has lost five times to Djokovic this year, came into the tournament battling injury.

Nadal, considered by many to be the greatest of his generation, is in danger of giving way to Djokovic. The Serb isn't going away anytime soon and has looked just as dominant now as he did during his 41-match winning streak earlier in the year.

While Nadal was battling a hand injury coming into the tournament, now he's been hampered with foot problems and searing cramps. Nadal should be fine by the fourth round, but you wonder if those cramps are going to haunt him down the line, especially if he finds himself in a battle with Djokovic.

Nadal has the skills to topple Djokovic in the U.S. Open, we all know that, but you wonder if his nagging physical problems are going to force him out of competition. One thing's for sure: He looked awful in the conference room today.

Next Up for Nadal

Next up for Rafael Nadal is No. 69 Gilles Muller. The 28-year-old hasn't done much this season, but he did have an inspiring victory against Ernests Gulbis on Friday and defeated Russian Igor Kunitsyn in straight sets on Sunday, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

Muller appears to be playing his best tennis of the year right now and is doing so in his first time back at the U.S. Open since his quarterfinals run in 2008. In that respect, Muller is a wild card, a player without the skills of Nadal, but exhibiting some success in the tournament in the past.

SI.com's Jon Wertheim put Muller in his "Dark Horse Stable," opining, "Metamorphosis into a world beater in New York."

I don't expect Nadal to lose to Muller by any means, but if he starts getting cramps again or continues to be bothered by minor injuries, who knows what can happen? Muller has already shown this tournament that he's here to make an impact.

Despite losing to Roger Federer in the 2008 U.S. Open in straight sets, it certainly wasn't easy for the 16-time Grand Slam singles champion, grinding out a 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) victory.