Reigning champion Rafael Nadal pulled out of the U.S. Open because of an injury for the second time in three years Monday, leaving Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer as the men to beat at the years last Grand Slam tournament. Nadal announced his withdrawal, blamed on a bad right wrist, one week before play begins at Flushing Meadows. "I am sure you understand that it is a very tough moment for me since it is a tournament I love and where I have great memories from fans, the night matches, so many things," a posting on Nadals Facebook page read. "Not much more I can do right now, other than accept the situation and, as always in my case, work hard in order to be able to compete at the highest level once I am back." The second-ranked Nadal plays left-handed, but he uses a two-handed backhand. The 14-time major champion was hurt July 29 while practicing on his home island of Mallorca ahead of the North American hard-court circuit. The next day, Nadal announced he needed to wear a cast on his wrist for two to three weeks and would be sitting out tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati. The 28-year-old Spaniard also said at that time he expected to return for the U.S. Open. Instead, hes the fourth man in the Open era, which began in 1968, to decline to try to defend his U.S. Open title. The others were Ken Rosewall in 1971, Pete Sampras in 2003 and Juan Martin del Potro in 2010. Del Potro also is out of this years U.S. Open after wrist surgery in March. Nadal is 44-8 with four titles in 2014, including his record ninth French Open trophy in June. He has not competed since losing in the fourth round of Wimbledon on July 1. With Nadal sidelined, five-time U.S. Open champion Federer joins Djokovic as a favourite in New York -- even if there are questions about them. Federer turned 33 this month, and its been more than two years since he won one of his record 17 Grand Slam titles. But he is coming off a runner-up finish at Wimbledon last month and a hard-court title at the Cincinnati Masters on Sunday. After beating David Ferrer 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 on Sunday, Federer declared: "My games exactly where I want it to be." Djokovic won Wimbledon to take the No. 1 ranking from Nadal, but had a rough time on hard courts, losing his second match in both Toronto and Cincinnati. Still, Djokovic will be seeded No. 1 at the U.S. Open, and the third-ranked Federer is expected to rise one seeding spot to No. 2, so they could meet only in the final. The draw is Thursday. Federer reached six consecutive finals at Flushing Meadows from 2004-09, but hasnt been that far since, losing in the semifinals in 2010 and 2011, the quarterfinals in 2012, and the fourth round a year ago, when he was dealing with a bothersome back. Nadal won his second U.S. Open championship in 2013, part of a run of reaching the final in each of his last three appearances. He beat Djokovic to win the titles in 2010 and last year, and lost to Djokovic in 2011. The one question about Nadal over the years has been his durability, on account of a hard-charging, play-each-point-as-if-its-your-last style. He did not enter the U.S. Open in 2012, part of an extended absence because of a problem with his left knee. And this will be the second time Nadal chose to not attempt a defence of a major title: A year after winning Wimbledon in 2008, he missed that tournament with knee tendinitis. Stitched USA Soccer Jerseys . They kicked off the still-going trend of host cities winning the Grey Cup and sent Hall of Fame head coach Wally Buono to the front office a champion. Wholesale USA Soccer Jerseys .A. remained bitter for Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers on the long flight back home to New York. https://www.cheapusasoccer.com/. Kenny Miller scored from the penalty spot and Camilo Sanvezzo came off the bench to add two late goals as the Whitecaps kept their playoff hopes alive with a 3-0 victory over the sagging Impact on Saturday afternoon. USA Soccer Jerseys China . Others describe it as taking the parrot for a walk. USA Soccer Pro Shop . Its the second straight year he has decided not to play as he cuts back his schedule. Stricker was replaced in the field by Ryo Ishikawa of Japan.ORLANDO, Fla. - For the first time in more than a decade, the Milwaukee Bucks could celebrate after a game in Orlando.Jerryd Bayless scored 19 points, Jared Dudley and Khris Middleton had 17 apiece and the Bucks ended a 17-game losing streak in Orlando with a 115-100 victory on Thursday night.The Bucks never trailed and placed seven players in double figures, including all five starters. Brandon Knight had 16 points and eight assists, and O.J. Mayo scored 13 points in Milwaukees first road victory in the series since Dec. 29, 2004.Milwaukee had 29 assists on 45 field goals and shot 51.7 per cent for the game, including 12 of 25 from behind the 3-point line.I think our players take pride in moving the ball, making the next pass, Bucks coach Jason Kidd said. I think they really enjoy playing with one another. That is why you see the ball move. They take pride in being part of the play.Starting centre Zaza Pachulia, who could miss a week with a calf injury, joined fellow starters Jabari Parker (knee) and Larry Sanders (suspension) on the sideline. His replacement, John Henson, has 12 points and 11 rebounds in his first start this season.Obviously we miss those guys, Bayless said. We really do need them, but everybody stepped up their play and did the best they could to help the team win.The Magic have lost seven straight and 13 of their last 15 games. Victor Oladipo led Orlando with 21 points. Nik Vucevic added 17 points and 14 rebounds.I thought our focus and energy going into the game was really good. Im really surprised by the results of tonights game, Magic coach Jacque Vaughn said. I thought our group felt really good going into the game, but thats basketball. One team loses and guys feel frustrated. They want to win and we arent right now.The Bucks led 59-44 halftime and then blew open the game in the third period.Vucevic scored 11 in the first 5 minutes of the periood to cut Orlandos deficit to 72-60.dddddddddddd Milwaukee responded with a 24-5 run as Knight had 14 points in the quarter, including nine straight during the game-deciding run.The Bucks had an 11-0 advantage in fast-break points in the first 9 minutes. Bayless had 13 points in the second quarter while the Magic struggled at both ends.Orlando, which has allowed 11 straight opponents to score more than 100 points, gave the Bucks a good head start on that by turning the ball over 13 times in the first half that resulted in 18 points for Milwaukee.They had it going, they shot the cover off the ball, Oladipo said. Teams get hot like that, weve got to learn to deal with it and figure out a way to win.Orlando made one run in the second half, but it died quickly.Mayo finished the 4 minutes of one-sided basketball during the big run with a 10-footer that made it 94-65 and brought out the boo birds from what was left of the Magic crowd.The Bucks led by as many as 29 in the second half before Orlando outscored Milwaukee 29-19 in the fourth quarter, when Willie Green scored 13 of his 16, including three 3-pointers.___TIP-INSBucks: Milwaukee has had 25 or more assists in five straight games. . The Bucks bench, which outscored Miami 54-13 Tuesday, was dead even with the Magic reserves, each scoring 43 points.Magic: Oladipo is shooting 47 per cent (72 of 153) while averaging 21 points over the last nine games. . F Devyn Marble, who started seven straight games before going to the bench two games, was placed on the inactive list.BALANCED BUCKSA lot of guys were putting the ball in the basket, Mayo said. We dont depend on one guy to come out and get us 20 points. And weve had injuries pretty much all year, so every guy usually plays whether its a full roster or not. Everyone stays ready to step up.UP NEXT:Bucks: Host Portland on Saturday.Magic: Host Dallas on Saturday. ' ' '