TENNIS : RAFAEL NADAL TAKES 16TH GRAND SLAM TITLE AT US OPEN ; CLOSES IN ON ROGER FEDERER'S RECORD 19 !

TENNIS : RAFAEL NADAL TAKES 16TH GRAND SLAM TITLE AT US OPEN ; CLOSES IN ON ROGER FEDERER'S RECORD 19 !

The Raging Spanish Bull is - - just as that - - raging.

Unstoppable.

Rafael Nadal - - the undisputed King Of Clay - - had just added more conquest to his expanding dominion.

He ran over Kevin Anderson of South Africa , and took the US Open Championship crown virtually unchallenged.

Anderson, on his first Grand Slam Finals ever, haplessly looked like what he is - - a greenhorn wandered on an unchartered no man’s land, cornered by his predator.

Nadal, without mercy, quickly prevailed with no let-up in straight Sets, 6-3; 6-3; 6-4.

Anderson, humble and gracious in defeat, was not short of praises for his conqueror.

"I've been watching you my whole life . . you've been an idol of mine", said the 31-year old South African who essentially grew up with Nadal on tour.

"You're one of the greatest ambassadors of our sport", he added.

Rafael Nadal's new US Open win in New York is his 16th Grand Slam title.

He is extending his dominant clay rule to the acrylic hard courts, and closing in on his archnemesis Roger Federer for the all-revered Grand Slam record.

Roger Feder has won two more Grand Slams this year, alright. The Australian Open and Wimbledon.

He stretches his Grand Slam tally to 19 - - a world record.

But Rafael Nadal is right behind him - - has won two more Grand Slams this year, too.

The French Open, and now the US Open -- bringing his total to 16.

Seems "if you can make it, I can make it better" kind of swag?

Regardless, these two are immortals in the realm of human greatness.

Against time.

RELATED STORY: RAFAEL NADAL - - HISTORY !
RELATED STORY: ROGER FEDERER - - THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME !
RELATED STORY: RAFAEL NADAL THRASHES JUAN MARTIN DEL PORTO AT US OPEN SEMIS ; SETS EYES ON 16TH GRAND SLAM TITLE !

Unstoppable.
Posted by BBC Sport on Sunday, 10 September 2017

Time to celebrate this #usopen thanks a lot for the support, here a little message to you all #celebrating
A post shared by Rafa Nadal (@rafaelnadal) on Sep 10, 2017 at 8:26pm PDT

Posted by Rafa Nadal on Sunday, 10 September 2017

Campeón! 🏆 #USOpen #rafanadal #nadal #atp #worldnumberone #tennisplayer #grandslam #🎾 #🇪🇸 #rafa #NYC
A post shared by US Open (@usopen) on Sep 10, 2017 at 3:59pm PDT

On top of the 🌎! 16 career #GrandSlams simply incredible @rafaelnadal 👏🏾- #Rafa defeats K. Anderson 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. (🎥 @narnah ) #rafanadal #nadal #atp #worldnumberone #tennisplayer #grandslam #🎾 #🇪🇸 #rafa #NYC
A post shared by US Open (@usopen) on Sep 10, 2017 at 4:05pm PDT

Take a bite out of the Big 🍎@rafaelnadal .🏆😘. #USOpen (📸by @iamcesarin) __ #tennis #spain #rafanadal #rafaelnadal #instasports #instatennis #arthurashestadium #vamosrafa #instaspain
A post shared by US Open (@usopen) on Sep 10, 2017 at 4:35pm PDT

Simply unstoppable. Rafael Nadal has won his 16th Grand Slam title, 12 years after his first #rafa #rafaelnadal #usopen #bbctennis
A post shared by BBC SPORT (@bbcsport) on Sep 10, 2017 at 4:03pm PDT

@rafaelnadal #PlayToBeWild
A post shared by Babolat (@babolat) on Sep 10, 2017 at 3:53pm PDT

#PlayToBeWild Babolat
Posted by Rafa Nadal on Wednesday, 18 January 2017

Champion Again @rafaelnadal tops Anderson for his 3rd US Open title. #espn #espntennis #usopen #nadal #champion #atp
A post shared by ESPN Tennis (@espntennis) on Sep 10, 2017 at 3:58pm PDT

Your 2017 Men's Champion, @rafaelnadal 🏆 #espn #espntennis #usopen #champion #nadal #trophy #atp
A post shared by ESPN Tennis (@espntennis) on Sep 10, 2017 at 4:18pm PDT

"It's been a very emotional season for me."

It's Grand Slam title # 1️⃣6️⃣ for Rafa Nadal after he puts on another incredible performance to defeat Anderson in the #USOpen final! http://ms.spr.ly/6184rae8C
Posted by US Open Tennis Championships on Sunday, 10 September 2017

Rafa Nadal has won his third #USOpen title!

The top seed puts in a flawless performance to defeat No. 28 seed Kevin...
Posted by US Open Tennis Championships on Sunday, 10 September 2017

Vamossssssss thanks and celebration time #usopen 17 pic.twitter.com/O0k0lhHtvT
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) September 11, 2017

🇪🇸Rafael Nadal of Spain🇪🇸
▪️US Open Champion
▪️World Number One
▪️Sixteen Grand Slam Titles

REACTION: https://t.co/Kuxx2s8tjY pic.twitter.com/JJgfUUbgSe
— BBC 5 live Sport (@5liveSport) September 10, 2017

He's done it.

Rafael Nadal has won his 16th Grand Slam title.

He beats Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-3 6-4. #USOpen: https://t.co/6r9ZW3eEuG pic.twitter.com/7k9sWX9A61
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 10, 2017

Hoisting a Grand Slam trophy for the 16th time...

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆@RafaelNadal #USOpen pic.twitter.com/UAvcsP7MAG
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2017

3 US Open wins. 16 Grand Slam titles.

Not bad, Rafael Nadal. pic.twitter.com/OmozaWIlTj
— ESPN (@espn) September 10, 2017

#USOpen CHAMP!

Rafael Nadal wins his 16th Grand Slam title. pic.twitter.com/39yjaangWK
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) September 10, 2017

6-3, 6-3, 6-4.@RafaelNadal defeats Kevin Anderson to win his 3rd #USOpen title and 16th career Grand Slam🏆! pic.twitter.com/rJANGdqcyV
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2017

JUST IN: Rafael Nadal wins 3rd #USOpen title with straight-set win over Kevin Anderson https://t.co/kUMxAi5x3P pic.twitter.com/HbvOmqj3pM
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) September 10, 2017

‪🗽#PlayToBeWild‬
A post shared by Babolat (@babolat) on Aug 27, 2017 at 8:14am PDT

Rafa Nadal was certainly super during the 2017 #USOpen, soaring above the competition on the way to his 16th Grand Slam title! http://ms.spr.ly/6181raeGx
Posted by US Open Tennis Championships on Sunday, 10 September 2017

When all the hard work pays off...again.@RafaelNadal #USOpen pic.twitter.com/CcUDw4Wy3R
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2017

JUST IN: Rafael Nadal defeats Kevin Anderson to win his third U.S. Open title https://t.co/jgD1YwrCyW pic.twitter.com/0vAnnMzCLH
— New York Post (@nypost) September 10, 2017

.@RafaelNadal claims championship title and $3.7 million in prize money at the @usopen https://t.co/1T6C3PUWuy pic.twitter.com/4N2m9rUFU5
— Business Insider (@businessinsider) September 10, 2017

Rafael Nadal beat Kevin Anderson to win his third title at Flushing Meadows https://t.co/akhxfRsA9t pic.twitter.com/o7cStQxM1n
— Bloomberg (@business) September 11, 2017

Sweet 16 for Rafael Nadal

SEE PICS: https://t.co/10vnp1z1hp pic.twitter.com/JxOtGuWgmN
— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) September 11, 2017

Rafael Nadal claims 16th Grand Slam title by winning #USOpen. https://t.co/LzwpsFU2sf pic.twitter.com/1ilc2qtsBr
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 10, 2017

3rd 🏆 in New York
16th Grand Slam 👑
Nadal beats Anderson 6-3 6-3 6-4 to become the 2017 #usopen champion ➡️ https://t.co/PvO2ceXpCV pic.twitter.com/avHPPaCVWa
— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) September 10, 2017

Rafael Nadal beats ex-Illini athlete Kevin Anderson for 3rd U.S. Open, 16th major https://t.co/322i03I0Jr pic.twitter.com/2NuxiIDdYj
— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) September 10, 2017

To step on Arthur Ashe with @RafaelNadal for my first Slam final was an honour. I look forward to sharing the court with you again soon 😊 pic.twitter.com/lojLczEeil
— Kevin Anderson (@KAndersonATP) September 11, 2017

Rafael Nadal, your 2017 US Open Men's Singles Champion. pic.twitter.com/I0igsNySm2
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) September 10, 2017

The 2017 Grand Slam Men's Singles Champions

🇦🇺 @rogerfederer 🏆
🇫🇷 @RafaelNadal 🏆
🇬🇧 Roger Federer 🏆
🇺🇸 Rafael Nadal 🏆 pic.twitter.com/mghu6hCSGk
— FOX Sports LIVE! (@FSAsiaLive) September 10, 2017

Grand Slam titles 👉

19 Roger Federer

16: Rafael Nadal

14: Pete Sampras

Will Rafa catch Roger?https://t.co/6r9ZW3eEuG pic.twitter.com/fH5Ywj1NVX
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 10, 2017

Congrats @RafaelNadal ! The #1 in the world and 10 time #RG champion defeats @KAndersonATP ans wins his 16th #GrandSlam title. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/sPDbtnwRsN
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) September 10, 2017

🇺🇸🏆🎾 #USOpen
Congratulations to @RafaelNadal, our honorary member, for winning his 16th Grand Slam title!#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/hjq7b8jVYb
— Real Madrid C.F.🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) September 10, 2017

Your 2017 #USOpen champion, @RafaelNadal! pic.twitter.com/wppLezKCJI
— Live Tennis (@livetennis) September 10, 2017

"I've been watching you my whole life. You are one of the greatest ambassadors of our sport" - Anderson to Nadal #usopen pic.twitter.com/5sSLEJJbJe
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2017

Who would have thought Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer would share the Grand Slams this year?

It's happened!https://t.co/K3Md9W9pMr pic.twitter.com/0wxsMuUsB3
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 10, 2017

Hola, number 16 🤗🏆

➡️ https://t.co/OJXXny2XMB #usopen pic.twitter.com/eMty71QzfI
— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) September 10, 2017

Then and now...@KAndersonATP @RafaelNadal #USOpen pic.twitter.com/Gg3mTz5JcK
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2017

3rd  in New York
16th Grand Slam 
Rafa Nadal beats Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-3 6-4 to win the 2017 US Open Tennis Championships title ➡️ http://bit.ly/2xouu7Q
Posted by ATP World Tour on Sunday, 10 September 2017

Rafael Nadal: clay legend—and one of the greatest #USOpen champions ever. Three thoughts on Rafa's third win in NYC: https://t.co/CGj6Zx0vuV pic.twitter.com/w4AevgjqGM
— TENNIS.com (@Tennis) September 10, 2017

"I believe that I still have things to improve. I wake up every morning with the passion to go on court and improve...
Posted by US Open Tennis Championships on Sunday, 10 September 2017

@rafaelnadal is stream rolling in Arthur Ashe, up two sets and a break. Will he earn his third #USOpen title? Send a 🏆 if you're predicting a Rafa win. (📸 by @iamcesarin) #rafanadal #nadal #atp #worldnumberone #tennisplayer #grandslam #🎾 #🇪🇸 #rafa #NYC
A post shared by US Open (@usopen) on Sep 10, 2017 at 3:25pm PDT

RAFA ROARS: @rafaelnadal secures his third #USOpen title & marks the fourth time he's won at least two Slams in a season (2008, 2010, 2013 & 2017). Let's hear it for your champion 🏆🏆🏆! #rafanadal #nadal #atp #worldnumberone #tennisplayer #grandslam #🎾 #🇪🇸 #rafa #NYC
A post shared by US Open (@usopen) on Sep 10, 2017 at 3:53pm PDT

Will this be a straight set sweep? @rafaelnadal is 👀ing his 🏆🏆🏆#USOpen. (🎥by @skinnywashere) __ #aboutthatbusiness #boss #rafanadal #nadal #rafaelnadal #atp #worldnumberone #tennisplayer #grandslam #🎾 #🇪🇸 #rafa #NYC
A post shared by US Open (@usopen) on Sep 10, 2017 at 3:25pm PDT

15-time grand slam champ @rafaelnadal had a special guest sitting in his box at the #USOpen 👀 Word is this guy knows a little something about winning too.
A post shared by Golf Channel (@golfchannel) on Sep 9, 2017 at 10:52am PDT

Rafa Nadal Academy has made this video for me!! Thanks to all the students, players, coaches and staff!! #Vamosss
Posted by Rafa Nadal on Sunday, 10 September 2017

Sport and Hollywood ⭐️s... they want to be a part of it  New York, New York! 

: http://bit.ly/2jdYLAj
Posted by ATP World Tour on Sunday, 10 September 2017

#RafaelNadal #Nadal #USOpen #Tennis #KevinAnderson #allsportsnews #sportsnews #sports #breakingnews #news
A post shared by allsportsnews (@allsportsnews) on Sep 10, 2017 at 4:11pm PDT

From La Decima at Roland Garros to his third #USOpen title, it's been a magical 2017 for Rafa Nadal! What do you think we can expect from him in the rest of the season?

http://ms.spr.ly/6184raeDr
Posted by US Open Tennis Championships on Sunday, 10 September 2017

Champions Watching Champions:

#USOpen women's singles winner Sloane Stephens & Tiger Woods were in attendance for the men's singles final.  http://ms.spr.ly/6187raeDV
Posted by US Open Tennis Championships on Sunday, 10 September 2017

El tenista español, Rafael Nadal, consiguió su 16to. Grand Slam, al imponerse 6-3, 6-3 y 6-4 al sudafricano Kevin Anderson en la final del US Open. Nadal, actual número uno del mundo, no dejó espacio a la duda y se llevó de punta a punta el duelo, en lo que es su segundo Grand Slam del año. #RafaelNadal #USOpen #ATP
A post shared by Meridiano (@meridiano) on Sep 10, 2017 at 4:11pm PDT

3rd 🏆 in New York 16th Grand Slam 👑 @rafaelnadal beats #Anderson 6-3 6-3 6-4 to become the 2017 @usopen champion. #ATP #tennis #Nadal #usopen 📸: @gettyimages
A post shared by atpworldtour (@atpworldtour) on Sep 10, 2017 at 3:54pm PDT

Hola, number 16 🏆 @rafaelnadal #ATP #tennis #usopen #Nadal #GrandSlam #champion 📸: @gettyimages
A post shared by atpworldtour (@atpworldtour) on Sep 10, 2017 at 4:24pm PDT

"Since I was a kid it was my dream to be at this stage." @kandersonatp #espn #espntennis #usopen #atp #anderson #nadal
A post shared by ESPN Tennis (@espntennis) on Sep 10, 2017 at 12:07pm PDT