JOHANNESBURG: Describing Stan Wawrinka as a 'super dangerous' opponent, 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has admitted that the Swiss star is capable of matching any of the top players in the world after he lifted his third Grand Slam title at the recently-concluded US Open.
After losing the opening set, the 31-year-old Swiss rebounded strongly as he registered a 6-7 (1-7), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 win over top-ranked Novak Djokovic to clinch his maiden title at Flushing Meadows, New York.
While speaking ahead of the Spain-India Davis Cup clash, Nadal admitted that Wawrinka had been playing some great tennis from last couple of years and had managed to put his best foot forward against all opponents.
Meanwhile, it was a roller-coaster season for Nadal, suffering a shocking fourth-round exit from the US Open after being forced to pull out of French Open and Wimbledon this year because of a wrist injury.
The Spaniard agreed that his injury layoff was the "negative part of the year", adding that he was glad to be back on the tour again, Sport24 reported.
Nadal will lead Spain's full-strength squad, featuring David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez, in the world group play-off against India from September 16 to September18.