Nadal encouraged by strengthening wrist after cruising into US Open fourth round

14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has exuded encouragement, saying that he felt less pain in his wrist during the third round match at the US Open.

After moving into the men's singles fourth round, the Spanish maestro said that although he feels a bit of pain in his wrist, his game doesn't get hindered by the issue, news.com.au reported.

Expressing satisfaction with his game and his level of confidence, Nadal said he had long waited to compete at a major tournament once again.

Fourth-seeded Nadal looked in fine form in his 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Russian Andrey Kuznetsov in the third round.

He was forced to withdraw early from the French Open and was ruled of the Wimbledon due to the wrist injury earlier this year.

He will next face 24th-seeded Lucas Pouille of France for a place in the quarterfinal on Sunday.