Rafael Nadal recovers from bloody nose and shaky start to defeat Fabio Fognini

The second seed trailed by a set and 4-2 and was struggling to put the ball in the court in New York.

Rafael Nadal needed treatment after hitting himself in the nose (Frank Franklin II/AP)

Rafael Nadal recovered from a very shaky start and a bloody nose inflicted by his own racket to defeat Fabio Fognini and reach the third round of the US Open overnight.

The second seed, who has not lost before the last 32 in New York since 2004, trailed by a set and 4-2 and was struggling to put the ball in the court.