American wildcard Blake sends lacklustre Nadal packing

RAFAEL NADAL was left licking his wounds yesterday after his US Open campaign came to a shuddering halt at the hands of American wildcard James Blake.

The 19-year-old Spaniard has been touted as the crown prince to Roger Federer since his breakthrough Grand Slam win in the French Open in June.

And after his first hardcourt title win in Montreal last month, he came to New York on a high seeded second and the focus of attention as much for his explosive game as his eye-catching tennis gear and muscular physique.