Nadal transforms into Beast Mode at US Open Rd of 16

[Puma Cat]

I watched the Marin Cilic vs. Rafael Nadal Round of 16 match at the US Open last night and in a word, it was EPIC!

Nadal won the first set with some solid play, 6-3. Cilic came back in the 2nd set serving really well and pushing Rafa so far back on the court that he could not hit through and Cilic took the second set, 6-3.

That was then Rafa does what no other player I've ever seen do, he raised his level to "beast mode". He ripped Cilic completely apart in sets 3 and 4, winning with double service breaks in both sets, and producing a staggering level of play:

For some examples, check out this video, in particular at 1:20, with Nadal hitting a "skyhook" winner, jumping up and smashing the ball overhead backwards; a driving winner deep into the cort from an overhead smash for a winner at 1:30 (note "Sheldon" from The Big Bang Theory), and the ultimate play, hitting around the net post for at 2:18 for an insane, ridiculous shot...around the net post. Unreal...

https://youtu.be/jihxS6u-WCA

Its not everyday you get Tiger Woods jumping out of his seat and screaming...