Juan Martin del Potro has reached his first grand slam final since 2009 after world No.1 Rafael Nadal was forced to retire injured during their semi-final clash at the US Open.
The highly anticipated showdown between the two former champions Initially lived up to expectations before Nadal’s body started to betray him. An issue with his right knee deteriorated as the match progressed. Leaving the defending champion limping on the court before calling it quits when trailing 6-7(3), 2-6.
“Of course it is not the best way to win a match.” Del Potro said during his on-court interview with ESPN. “I love playing against Rafa because he is the biggest fighter in this sport. I don’t like to see him suffer like today.
“I’m sad, but I’m also happy (to reach the US Open final).”
At first it appeared as if another classic battle between the two was on the cards. A roller-coaster 69-minute opening set saw both men display their best tennis. Del Potro produced a series of blistering forehand winners against Nadal’s sublime defensive play. That was until Nadal’s problems started midway through the first set. Taking a medical time out to have his knee strap, before ripping it off a couple games later.
In what was a cat and mouse chase, Del Potro broke for a 5-4 lead in the opener, but failed to convert two set points in the following game to revive Nadal’s hopes. Then in a tense tiebreaker, the Argentine launched another offensive against his opponents serve. Utilizing the intensity of his shot-making to force errors from Nadal. Illustrated by the Spaniard hitting a lob out to go behind 1-3, followed later by a forehand error to extend Del Potro’s lead to 6-3. Meanwhile, the resilient Argentine proceeded to seal the 7-6 lead with the help of another costly mistake from the world No.1.
“I think the key of the match was the first set. We both played good tennis. It was a really tough one and I did well in the tiebreaker. Then I started to play much better.” Del Potro commented about his performance.
As Del Potro continued to gain momentum on the court, Nadal’s movement worsened. Even a second medical time out failed to find a resolution he desired. Admirably he continued to keep going, but it was only delaying the inevitable. During a disputed call with the umpire in set number two, he was heard saying “I’m gonna retire anyway, but you are not good on this one.” Something he did after dropping his second set.
“I’ve had some issues during the tournament.” Nadal said in his press conference.
“I think was 2-All in the first (set), 15-Love, something like this in the first set, that I felt (pain). I said to my box immediately that I felt something in the knee.
“After that, I was just trying to see if in some moment the knee could improve during the match. But no, it was not the day.”
It it not the first time Nadal has been blighted by a knee injury. At last year’s ATP Finals he was also forced to withdraw from the tournament due to a similar issue.
Del Potro is set to play in his first grand slam final for nine years. When he stunned Roger Federer in five sets to win the US Open title. Since then, the Argentine has experienced more than his fair share of injury woes. Undergoing a total of four wrist surgeries as he once contemplated walking again for the sport for good.
“I didn’t expect to reach another grand slam final at basically my favourite tournament.” He said.
“I have my biggest memories in tennis playing on this court (Arthur Ashe), beating Roger and Rafa. But I was a kid and now I’m much older.“
Awaiting Del Potro in the final will be either Novak Djokovic or Kei Nishikori.
