US Open: Nadal Gets Walkover, Halep Crashes Out

From left: Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep.

(Photo: AP)

Three-time champion Rafael Nadal advanced into the third round of the ongoing US Open without hitting a ball in the second round while former women's world No. 1 Simona Halep crashed out, conceding a shocking defeat to 116th seed.

Nadal's advance came after his scheduled second-round opponent Thanasi Kokkinakis was unable to play due to injury. According to tournament organisers, the Australian wildcard entry Kokkinakis pulled out of the Thursday evening tie with a right shoulder problem.

Second seed Nadal will next face either 32nd-seeded fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco or South Korea's Chung Hyeon on Saturday.

Halep was shocked by 23-year-old qualifier Taylor Townsend as lost 6-2, 3-6, 6-7 (4) to crash out of the competition.

Meanwhile, in women’s singles, former world No 1 Simona Halep was shocked by 23-year-old qualifier Taylor Townsend at the Flushing Meadows as the Romanian was defeated 6-2, 3-6, 6-7 (4) to crash out of the competition.

"I never played with someone coming so often to the net," Halep said. "I didn't miss much. It's unbelievable."

In other men's singles clash, Australia's Nick Kyrgios defeated France's Antoine Hoang 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the third round.

Kyrgios now faces Russia's 43rd-ranked Andrey Rublev for a spot in the last 16.