Rafael Nadal will face Kevin Anderson in the final of the US Open after beating Juan Martin del Potro 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 in his Flushing Meadows semi-final.
After the match, Rafa said:
It means a lot. It has been an amazing season of course after a couple with injures and troubles you know? To be back here in front of this amazing crowd, on this amazing court and to have the chance to fight for another title is so important to me.
I changed a couple of things after the first set. I was playing too much to his backhand and I knew that I had change and move him more and be more unpredictable. It worked really well and I am very happy.
When the rounds are coming, you know you have won a few matchs and you have confidence and know you are playing well. The last three matches have been very positive and this one was the best.
It will be very tough against Kevin. He has an unbelievable serve and is a great example for the kids in the way he has come back from injury. I have known him since we were 12 so I am very happy for him.”(via BBC)
After losing the first set Rafa came roaring back, winning nine games in a row and chasing down everything.
Our champ improved to 23-3 in Grand Slam semifinals, and he has now won his last four US Open semifinals. He will be bidding to win a third US Open final on Sunday.
More to follow…
USTA/Garrett Ellwood
USTA/Garrett Ellwood
Rafael Nadal of Spain waves to the crowd prior to his Men’s Singles Semifinal match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain waves to the crowd prior to his Men’s Singles Semifinal match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
A detailed view of the sneakers of Rafael Nadal of Spain as he serves against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
AFP PHOTO / DON EMMERT
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s semifinal singles match of the US Open 2017 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in New York. / AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point in the first set against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point in the first set against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point in the first set against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after a shot against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after a shot against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain wipes his face during a break against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
A detailed view of the wrapped fingers of Rafael Nadal of Spain as he serves against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
A detailed view of the sneakers of Rafael Nadal of Spain as he serves against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the third set against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Abbie Parr/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the third set against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts on court against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s semifinal singles match of the US Open 2017 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in New York. / AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth set with a score of 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth set with a score of 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth set with a score of 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve during the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Chris Trotman/Getty Images North America)
(L-R) Rafael Nadal of Spain shakes hands with Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina after their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth set with a score of 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
The victor Rafael Nadal of Spain (L) meets Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro at the net following their 2017 US Open Men’s Singles Semifinals match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 8, 2017. .World number one Rafael Nadal powered into his 23rd career Grand Slam final on Friday, routing Argentina’s 24th-seeded Juan Martin del Potro 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 at the US Open. / AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY
(L-R) Rafael Nadal of Spain hugs Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina after their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth set with a score of 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth set with a score of 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth set with a score of 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth set with a score of 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Abbie Parr/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth set with a score of 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth set with a score of 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth set with a score of 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth set with a score of 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth set with a score of 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth set with a score of 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth set with a score of 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth set with a score of 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their Men’s Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth set with a score of 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2. (Sept. 7, 2017 – Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)
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I don’t think Kevin Anderson has ever beaten Rafa so hopefully he won’t do it now. So long as Rafa stays fit for this final test he should be hoisting the trophy in 24 hours. I thought he played a very agressive and exciting game against DelPotro once he made some changes after the first set.
Without taking anything away from Uncle Toni the influence of Carlos Moya is evident. This year it is almost as though Rafa has been reborn.
The main concern is that he does not overdo it. If he needs to cut down his schedule for the remainder of the year hopefully Moya will advise accordingly. Even omitting one tournament could make all the difference.
A fit Rafa is a happy Rafa and brings happiness to his fans, too.
Bravo Rafa! Wonderful to see you thinking well and playing well and of course winning!!!
Keep it up champ!!!
All the very best for Sunday!
VAMOS