MADRID: Rafael Nadal's recovery from tendinitis in both knees appears to be progressing so well that he could be back at peak fitness for the US Open, according to a sports injury specialist at the University of California.

The Spanish world No 3 said in June he had been playing with pain in his knees for nine months and was out for 10 weeks before making his return at this month's Montreal Masters.

He fell in the last eight to Juan Martin del Potro but went one round better at the Cincinnati Masters, losing on Saturday in the semifinals to Novak Djokovic.