(Reuters) – Rafael Nadal moved to the brink of a 19th career Grand Slam title on Friday by beating Matteo Berrettini 7-6(6) 6-4 6-1 to reach the U.S. Open final.
Rafa put pressure on the underdog Italian’s serve from the start but Berrettini saved six break points to set up a first set tie breaker. Berrettini raced out to a 4-0 lead thanks to some uncharacteristically sloppy play from the Spaniard and the 23-year-old had two set points at 4-6. But Berrettini suddenly got tight and Nadal took advantage, wearing him down in the extended baseline rallies and capturing the set when the Italian sent a forehand long for his 20th unforced error, leading Rafa to let out a roar.
Rafa broke Berrettini on his 10th opportunity to take a 4-3 lead in the second set and cruised to the finish, absorbing Berrettini’s powerful forehands and redirecting them to his weaker backhand side to see off the first time slam semi-finalist.
September 6, 2019 – Rafael Nadal prepares to walk on court for a semifinal match against Matteo Berrettini at the 2019 US Open. (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/USTA)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: (L-R) Rafael Nadal of Spain poses with Matteo Berrettini of Italy prior to their Men’s Singles semi-final match on day twelve of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: A view of the Nike tennis shoes worn by Rafael Nadal of Spain during his Men’s Singles semi-final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy on day twelve of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves against Matteo Berrettini of Italy during their Singles Men’s Semi-finals match at the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 6, 2019. (Photo by Johannes EISELE / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his Men’s Singles semi-final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy on day twelve of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his Men’s Singles semi-final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy on day twelve of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his Men’s Singles semi-final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy on day twelve of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain shows his frustration during his Men’s Singles semi-final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy on day twelve of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Men’s Singles semi-final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy on day twelve of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Men’s Singles semi-final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy on day twelve of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain towels off during his Men’s Singles semi-final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy on day twelve of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his Men’s Singles semi-final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy on day twelve of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Xisca Perello attends the Men’s Singles semi-final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Matteo Berrettini of Italy on day twelve of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the first set against Matteo Berrettini of Italy at Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: A general view of Arthur Ashe Stadium during the Men’s Singles semi-final match between Matteo Berrettini of Italy and Rafael Nadal of Spain on day twelve of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves a shot during his Men’s Singles semi-final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy on day twelve of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Chaz Niell/Getty Images)
September 6, 2019 – Rafael Nadal in action against Matteo Berrettini during the men’s singles semifinals match at the 2019 US Open. (Photo by Darren Carroll/USTA)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point during his Men’s Singles semi-final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy on day twelve of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a backhand against Matteo Berrettini of Italy at Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
September 6, 2019 – Rafael Nadal reacts to winning his semifinal match against Matteo Berrettini at the 2019 US Open. (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/USTA)
Matteo Berrettini, of Italy, left, congratulates Rafael Nadal, of Spain, after Nadal won their men’s singles semifinal of the U.S. Open tennis championships Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, celebrates after defeating Matteo Berrettini, of Italy, in the men’s singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his Men’s Singles semi-final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy on day twelve of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his Men’s Singles semi-final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy on day twelve of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his Men’s Singles semi-final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy on day twelve of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victory over Matteo Berrettini of Italy during their Singles Men’s Semi-finals match at the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 6, 2019., Image: 469526890, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Profimedia, AFP
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his Men’s Singles semi-final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy on day twelve of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain laughs as he hits autographed tennis balls into the crowd after his victory over Matteo Berrettini of Italy at Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain laughs as he hits autographed tennis balls into the crowd after his victory over Matteo Berrettini of Italy at Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
“The first set was a little bit frustrating because I had a lot of break points and you don’t want to be in a tiebreak against a player like Matteo,” Rafa said.
“I survived that moment and finally I had the break … I think I started to play with more calm and was more aggressive.
“I just tried to stay focused on the next point.”
Rafa tipped his hat to the 24th seeded Berrettini, who came through several epic battles to reach the semis in New York.
“He’s young and he has everything,” he said.
“He’s already one of the best players in the world.”
Next up for Rafa is a showdown with big-serving Russian Medvedev, who was a straight sets winner over Grigor Dimitrov earlier in the day. The pair’s only previous meeting took place in the final of last month’s Rogers Cup in Montreal, where Rafa was a 6-3 6-0 winner.
“He’s one of the more solid players on tour,” Rafa said of the 23-year-old, who will be appearing in his fourth consecutive final and first at a Grand Slam.
“He’s taking steps forward every single week, having an amazing summer. I need to be playing at my best.
“As always in a Grand Slam final you can’t expect an easy opponent.”
Victory in Sunday’s final would leave Rafa just one Grand Slam shy of Roger Federer’s men’s record of 20.
Source: Reuters
Best of luck Rafa . You are ready to claim your fourth US open . You are an inspirations and a champion . Happy to be in New York to see you play 🌟☘️
Congrats Rafa!
Great good luck in the final.
What a noble man you are in every way.
Ooooooooohhhhhhhh!!!!!!! Rafa demostraste d nuevo quien esRAFAEL NADAL.. Un partido extraordinariemte bueno.. Dani gran rival pero tú Rafa eres único jamás habrá otro como tú ganes ó pierdas mañna eres el mejor jugador d la historia..
SIEMPRE CONTIGO.. Suerte para mañana..
I am always worried for Rafa especially when he plays someone for the first time. I was really nervous in the tiebreak, but I still thought Rafa would win in the end. Matteo had played such a tough five setter and his fitness is not up to Rafa’s. Coming back to win the TB, however, shows Rafa’s nerves of steel. Danill will be tougher this time, but still Rafa wants this badly. I never expected Rafa to have such a great year after his earlier injuries and slow start in the clay season.
Rafa congratulations well don champ vamosssssssssss one more 💪🎾😘❤️🏆💪🎾😘❤️🏆🇺🇸
Well done champ. One step away for #19.
Take rest and than go for it. Vamos Rafa <3
OUTSTANDING WHEN IT COUNTED. RAFA FOR THE WIN.
Ooooooooohhhhhhhh!!!!!!! Rafa demostraste d nuevo quien esRAFAEL NADAL.. Un partido extraordinariemte bueno.. Dani gran rival pero tú Rafa eres único jamás habrá otro como tú ganes ó pierdas mañna eres el mejor jugador d la historia..
SIEMPRE CONTIGO.. Suerte para mañana..
Congratulations Rafa👏 Looking forward to see you lift the trophy on Sunday❤️
Vamos RAFA!!!
Saw that Celebration by winning the 1st set after 2013 usopen final against Novak in 3rd set…. It was Mind-boggling
Also in 2012 aus open finals 4th set
Anyone remember any other celebration like that because I Love tdat
Ya against dimitrov in Australian open 2014 quarter finals after winning the 2nd set
Right Gotme
Oh yea! That celebration of the 2013 third set was wonderful! That was such a glorious night for Rafa.
Will we turn the clock back to 2013, when Rafa and Serena reigned in New York?
Eyes on the prize Rafa… One more match to go!