On Sunday, Rafael Nadal will face 28th-seeded South African Kevin Anderson in the US Open final.
Rafa, the 2010 and 2013 champion in New York, will be playing in his 23rd Slam final and third this year, looking to add the US title to his record 10th French Open. He has already secured the No. 1 ranking.
Date: 10 September 2017
Match time: 4 PM EDT – New York, Montreal / 9 PM BST – United Kingdom / 10 PM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / Monday 6 AM AEDT – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa never has lost to Anderson: He’s 4-0 lifetime, during which he has dropped just one set. When they met earlier this year in Barcelona on clay, our champ won in straight sets.
| YEAR | EVENT | SURFACE | RND | WINNER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Barcelona Spain |
Outdoor Clay | R16 | Rafael Nadal |
63 64
|
| 2015 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Paris France |
Indoor Hard | R16 | Rafael Nadal |
46 766 62
|
| 2015 | Australian Open Australia |
Outdoor Hard | R16 | Rafael Nadal |
75 61 64
|
| 2010 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Canada Canada |
Outdoor Hard | R16 | Rafael Nadal |
62 766
|
Rafa on facing Anderson:
It will be a very tough one. He’s a huge player with an unbelievable serve.
He’s had some injuries. So he’s a big example for the kids and tour to come back to the circuit. He’s playing the best tennis now in his career. I’m happy for him and I have known him since he was 12. It’s great to see him in the final of one of the most important events of the year.
It will be a tough one. I need to play at my best and I look forward to play with full energy and full motivation to try and play the best tennis I can.
Anderson:
Nadal’s, I think, one of the greatest competitors in sports, period.
He’s an amazing fighter. You know, he really controls the court well, you know, the few times I have played him.
I really need to be dominant and control proceedings as much as possible, because if you let him do it, it’s very difficult.
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
rafa the most out standing player on and off the court
Playing against anyone other than my beloved Rafa, I would be rooting relentlessly for Kevin whose career I’ve followed, watched practice and play live. He is very tall and has steadily improved his game. He is easily one of my favourites, but today he takes a back seat to our champ.
Sorry Kev; Rafa’s US Open trophy awaits.
Vamos Rafa.
Wow…Kevin is HUGE at 6’8″. I had no idea he was that tall. I had to look it up after Rafa’s statement. At seven inches shorter, is Rafa at a disadvantage? Should Kevin’s difference in height be a positive factor for him? I never thought about that.
Schwartzman, about whom height comments were made, beat Cîlić who is eleven inches taller at 6’6″, and Pouille who at 6’1″ is six inches taller.
I don’t care if Rafa has to jump up or stand on his tippy toes to hit a winner. I want him to be the tallest one standing at the end of his final.
YES YOU CAN RAFA
Uncle Toni before the final:
“To be part of his life has been something incredible. I’m more thankful than proud.”
So are we, Toni, to have Rafa as a part of our life journey.
Utmost respect for Kevin and his incredible run. Such a nice and gentle guy as well.
But sorry Kevin, Rafa will take this. You already had your champion celebration on Friday :p. now it’s Rafa’s turn. :p
Almost 6hrs to go.
Love you all. Vamos, Rafa! 💪💪💪🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🏆🏆🏆
Thrilled to be doing yet another countdown for a FINAL and Rafa’s next match at the US Open. SEVEN MORE HOURS TO GO….
YES YOU CAN RAFA