On Friday, Rafael Nadal will face Juan Martin del Potro for a spot in the US Open final.
The Argentine defeated Roger Federer in four sets. His victory means Fedal will end another year having never played each other in New York.
Rafa is now also guaranteed to keep hold of the number one ranking ahead of Federer.
Date: 8 September 2017
Match time: NOT BEFORE 5:30 PM EDT – New York, Montreal / 10:30 PM BST – United Kingdom / 11:30 PM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / Saturday 7:30 AM AEDT – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa on facing Delpo:
If I play against him, of course I have to play my best tennis.
I need to be very focused with my serve and play aggressive, because if you let him play from good positions with his forehand, you are dead, because he plays super-aggressive, hitting so hard.
So probably he’s unstoppable from that positions, no? I need to play long, I need to play against his backhand, and then open the court.
Delpo on facing Rafa:
Well I played him in 2009 too, the same as Roger, and hopefully I can achieve the same result.
We look older but Rafa is playing a great season. He’s No. 1 in the world but with this amazing support, everything can happen.
Rafa leads the big man from Tandil 8-5 over their careers, but they haven’t played this season. Delpo has won their past two meetings and in 2009 he beat Rafa 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 in the US Open semi-finals. Here are all the matches they have played against each other:
| YEAR | EVENT | SURFACE | RND | WINNER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games Brazil |
Outdoor Hard | SF | Juan Martin del Potro |
57 64 765 |
| 2013 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Shanghai China |
Outdoor Hard | SF | Juan Martin del Potro |
62 64 |
| 2013 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells CA, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | F | Rafael Nadal |
46 63 64 |
| 2011 | ESP vs.ARG DC Final Spain |
RR | Rafael Nadal |
16 64 61 760 |
|
| 2011 | Wimbledon Great Britain |
Outdoor Grass | R16 | Rafael Nadal |
766 36 764 64 |
| 2011 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Madrid Spain |
Outdoor Clay | R16 | Rafael Nadal |
W/O |
| 2011 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells CA, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | SF | Rafael Nadal |
64 64 |
| 2009 | US Open NY, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | SF | Juan Martin del Potro |
62 62 62 |
| 2009 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Canada Canada |
Outdoor Hard | QF | Juan Martin del Potro |
765 61 |
| 2009 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami FL, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | QF | Juan Martin del Potro |
64 36 763 |
| 2009 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells CA, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | QF | Rafael Nadal |
62 64 |
| 2007 | London / Queen’s Club Great Britain |
Outdoor Grass | R32 | Rafael Nadal |
64 64 |
| 2007 | Roland Garros France |
Outdoor Clay | R128 | Rafael Nadal |
75 63 62 |
| 2007 | ATP Masters Series Miami FL, U.S.A. |
Outdoor Hard | R16 | Rafael Nadal |
60 64 |
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
DelPo’s backhand isn’t breaking down. He’s so powerful off both wings.This wasn’t in the script! Rafa has to hold serve and try something different or he’s toast. Scary!
Yeah Lorna. That’s what I thought. Rafa needs more BH on the play. It’s greater than he thinks.
Great openning game in the 2nd set for Rafa. Keep going. First, don’t blink in your own serve. 2nd, pls fix that predictability. Give him sth to guess.
Keep going sweetheart…..YOU ARE DOING WELL & YOU WILL WIN TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU HAVE SOLID TENNIS…..GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
Del Potro is playing like a man possessed. Just glad it’s best of five. C’mon rafa – get it together. Delpo’s backhand is getting better and better due to all the practice its getting tonight.
It has to do with Rafa as well. He needs to put pressure back on him and he’s trying to do it now. No more hesistating around.
first set to del potro. Nadal is making a couple of mistakes. The dutch commentator is wondering like all of us and toni nadal why nadal keeps standing 50 meters behind the baseline. By doing that she is saying nadal has no initiative and give it to del potro.
He needs to serve better and use the forehand down the line damit this thing about keep hitting to the backhand is not helping
Come on New York , where’s your support for the world No .1
maria
He has no support. The nyc crowd like del potro and federer
Hate to say this, but that FH-BH CC exchang’s not gonna work, Rafa. Don’t be so stubborn. Go for the DTLs, pls! And more BH. Step up and make your chances. Don’t wait for them.
I am stressed watching this match. I like Delpo but love Rafa.
Me too Rafafan
Have some more faith, Rafafan. 🙂
Go Rafa , great shot. The nadal camp are looking a bit deflated, come on believe in him . Well one thing for certain , the final will be a bit of a let down after this match
Del Potro is serving very well and playing well. Nadal was unlucky with that netball. The argentinian supporters are making nadal very nervous. Hopefully nadal will raise up his service and game he looks tense which i though would happen
DP came to play, serving at 75%. Rafa 58%. Already retreat to the furthest back of the court.
Come on, Rafa. Don’t fear that FH and serve.
Come on Rafa, you can do this , your just have to ware the giant out , surely he can’t keep this pace up for long 😲
Sorry wear not ware,
Out of this world volley from Rafa.
3-5 40-15 DP leads
You can do this Rafa. Please break back.
Oh no. That lucky net cord and Rafa was broken.
Both are playing very well but Rafa’s the more nervy player. Not really going for his shot. Don’t like the FH-BH CC exchange. Not really working.
DP in beast mode on the get go. Impressive. Tough match for Rafa.
Well the net helped delpo break – what a bummer. C’mon rafa – please break back
God these two will be knackered by the end of the set at this rate.
This match is really tense and we’re only 3 games in!! Phew
Oh man. Early scare there. Rafa survives 1BP from 30-40. Hope he will calm down soon. DP’s on already.
Are you there, Susie, Maria and everyone?
Oh yes we are
Aaahh no. Rafa DFs early on again.
30-15
1-1
1-1
High quality so far. DP serving impressively. Rafa standing closer to the baseline. Great. It’s now or never, Rafa. 🙂