Nadal in US Open health drama, Murray eases on

Nadal in US Open health drama, Murray eases on

Defending champion Rafael Nadal shocked the US Open when he collapsed in an agony of cramps during a news conference while Andy Murray stayed on course for a semi-final clash against the Spaniard.

Nadal, 25, was talking to journalists, two hours after his third round win over close friend David Nalbandian, when he grimaced in pain, screwed up his eyes and slumped in the back of his chair, feeling his right leg.

The world number two, a winner of 10 Grand Slam titles, slipped to the floor while tournament medical staff were summoned.

Scores of reporters and camera crews were ushered out of the packed interview room deep inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

However, after 15 minutes of treatment, Nadal was back on his feet, insisting that the problem was merely cramping.

"It was just cramping in the right leg, in the front and in the back. It was very painful, that's all," said Nadal, who resumed his news conference standing instead of sitting.

A smiling Nadal said the incident will not affect his preparations for his fourth round match against Luxembourg's Gilles Muller, scheduled for Tuesday.

"I will train normally on Monday. It was just a normal cramp that could have happened anywhere, but it's just bad luck that it happened in the press room. Anywhere else, nobody would have noticed."

During his 7-6 (7/5), 6-1, 7-5 win over Nalbandian,Nfl bears jersreys cheap played out over 2hr 39mins in heavy, 84 degree-heat (29 degrees centigrade), Nadal also needed treatment on his blistered right foot.

Muller, who reached the last 16 by beating Russia's Igor Kunitsyn 6-1, 6-4, 6-4,Anime toys merchandise distributor famously defeated Nadal at Wimbledon in 2005 before the Spaniard got his All England Club revenge this year.

British fourth seed Andy Murray, the 2008 runner-up, took his career record against Spanish left-hander Feliciano Lopez to six wins in six meetings thanks to an impressive 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory over the 25th seed.