RICKY’S PREVIEW AND PICK FOR THE U.S. OPEN SEMIFINALS: NADAL VS. DEL POTRO

Written by: Staff on 7th September 2018

RICKY'S PREVIEW AND PICK FOR THE U.S. OPEN SEMIFINALS: NADAL VS. DEL POTRO

epa06993019 Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return to Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia during the seventh day of the US Open Tennis Championships the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 02 September 2018. The US Open runs from 27 August through 09 September. EPA-EFE/JUSTIN LANE |

Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return to Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia during the seventh day of the US Open Tennis Championships the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 02 September 2018. The US Open runs from 27 August through 09 September. EPA-EFE/JUSTIN LANE

By Ricky Dimon

Rafael Nadal vs. Juan Martin Del Potro marks a rematch of last year’s U.S. Open semifinals. It is also their fourth meeting in the last five Grand Slams, including third in a row.

Nadal has extended his lead in the head-to-head series to 11-5 with three consecutive victories and a 7-2 record in their last nine matches since dropping three straight to Del Potro back in 2009–including a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 beatdown in another U.S. Open semifinal showdown. The Spaniard got the job done 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 in last summer’s semis in New York City, cruised 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 at the French Open this spring, and prevailed in a 7-5, 6-7(7), 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 Wimbledon thriller.

A 17th chapter in this rivalry was almost delayed, as Nadal found himself on the brink against Dominic Thiem on Tuesday night (well, more like Wednesday morning). The three-time U.S. Open champion outlasted Thiem 0-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-7(4), 7-6(5) in a four-hour and 49-minute slugfest that ended at 2:04 a.m. Nadal preceded that result with victories over David Ferrer, Vasek Pospisil, Karen Khachanov, and Nikoloz Basilashvili, dropping one set to both Khachanov and Basilashvili.

Del Potro enjoyed much smoother sailing to the last four. The Argentine beat Donald Young, Denis Kudla, Fernando Verdasco, and Borna Coric in straights before battling past John Isner 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-2 on Tuesday. Del Potro is now an amazing 42-10 this season and well on his way to his first year-end championship appearance since 2013.

“It could be another big battle, as the Wimbledon match was,” the 2009 U.S. Open champion said of Friday’s affair with Nadal. “I like to play always [against] the No. 1 of the world, doesn’t matter the tournament or the conditions or the weather. I just have the chance to play the greatest on this sport, and it’s amazing for me.”

Nadal also relishes the challenge.

“(It) will be a big challenge,” the Spaniard assured. “(It) a [matchup in which] we know each other very well. I know he’s playing well. I know that I will have to play at my highest level to keep having chances of success.

(It) will be a very tough one. In Wimbledon he’s a great player; he’s a great player on grass. He’s a great player everywhere. But the challenge of playing him on hard, of course, is even higher for me personally than playing against him on clay–like happened in Roland Garros. Even [there] I had a very lucky first set.”

Even on hard courts, however, this has become a favorable matchup for Nadal–especially given his current form (45-3 overall in 2018, 10-0 on hard courts this summer). The top seed’s relentless topspin works well to the Del Potro backhand, which is a much-improved shot but still vulnerable. Nadal’s key weapon against the world No. 3 is his down-the-line forehand, as Del Potro frequently runs around his backhand and leaves the deuce side of the court wide open. Nadal was hitting that shot exceptionally well throughout the epic match against Thiem.

Pick: Nadal in 4