Cincinnati Open: Rafel Nadal says he 'didn't play his best match' after loss

Rafael Nadal has admitted that he didn’t play his best match after he was beaten by Croatia’s Borna Coric 7-6 4-6 6-3 in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters.

The Spaniard spent six weeks recovering from an abdominal muscle injury that forced him to withdraw from the Wimbledon semi-finals.

Mr Nadal’s loss is a blow to his preparations for the US Open, which begins on 29 August.

“Obviously I didn’t play my best match... historically this tournament has been difficult for me,” Mr Nadal said.

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