Nadal collapses having seen off Nalbandian

US Open champion Rafael Nadal dramatically collapsed during his press conference yesterday after beating David Nalbandian to advance to the fourth round.

There did not appear to be anything wrong as he answered questions in English but after he had begun to talk to journalists in Spanish he clearly began to feel pain and called for the trainer before sliding off his chair and onto the floor.

Nadal lay on the floor behind the desk of the interview room at Flushing Meadows for several minutes before getting up and walking gingerly out of the door.

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The 25-year-old then returned and was quick to allay any fears about his health, revealing he had been suffering from cramp in the front and back of his thigh. He then resumed his press conference.

On court, Nadal a stern examination from David Nalbandian to reach the fourth round with a 7-6 (7/5) 6-1 7-5 victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

After knocking out Maria Sharapova in round three, Flavia Pennetta survived another dramatic encounter with 13th seed Peng Shuai to reach the quarter-finals for the third time in four years.

The Italian looked on course for victory at a set and 6-5 up but, serving for the match the heat seemed to get to her and, after almost vomiting on court, she missed a match point with a wayward backhand and was broken back.

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Pennetta, the 26th seed, looked spent and Peng moved to a 5-0 and then 6-2 lead in the tie-break.

But, after creating such a golden opportunity, Peng could not take it, although her opponent benefited from a huge slice of luck with a mis-hit forehand winner on the fourth set point.

Pennetta extended her winning run to five points in a row and this time she did clinch victory when Peng missed an easy volley.

The 29-year-old fell in the last eight in 2008 and 2009 but she will fancy her chances of making it through this time against surprise quarter-finalist Angelique Kerber.

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The German, who lost to British teenager Laura Robson in the first round of Wimbledon, saw off Romania’s Monica Niculescu 6-4 6-3 yesterday.

British pair Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins have matched their Wimbledon achievement by reaching the quarter-finals of the men’s doubles after opponents Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez pulled out.

Fellow Brits Jamie Delgado and Sheffield’s Jonathan Marray will meet sixth seeds Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski in the third round today.

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