Rafa Nadal Out As Roger Federer Makes Final

2 months ago 14th Sep 13:56

Rafael Nadal’s dreams of completing a career Grand Slam will have to wait another twelve months after losing to Juan Martin Del Potro at Flushing Meadows yesterday.

At the tender age of twenty three the U.S. Open title is the only major missing from the Spaniard’s collection but it was not to be this year as injury has hampered him progression through the tournament.

After staring his quarter final match against Fernando Gonzalez on Thursday night the Spaniard had to wait over twenty four hours to complete the match, finally sealing a straight forward win on Saturday afternoon.

But he was back in action yesterday against the in form and big hitting Argentine, who was on the hunt for his first Grand Slam final.

Nadal seemed uncomfortable on his serve from the off and Del Potro let a break point chance in his opening service game pass him by.

But it wasn’t long before the Argentine struck as he broke Nadal to take 3-1 lead. The Spaniard looked out of sorts as he struggled with the range and control of usually very effective forehand.

He also struggled with the power of twenty year old Del Potro as the Argentine dominated on serve to seal the opening set 6-2.

It was more of the same in the second set as Nadal did his best to battle back but he could not get on terms with Del Potro’s pace and power. Again his missed his chance to break as Del Potro hit back to open up another 3-1 lead.

Nadal won just one more game in the second set before Del Potro wrapped it up to take a lead that the Spaniard would be able to recover from.

Del Potro showed no sign of nerves as he continued to serve impeccably while Nadal just appeared to run out of gas. He wrapped up the match 6-2 6-2 6-2.

While it is a disappointing result for Nadal a semi final spot after ten weeks away with tendonitis and struggling with a abdominal strain, picking up the injury in the Cinicinnatti Masters, is a great result as he reclaims the world number two spot.

Speaking to the BBC after the match Nadal said: “It was a little bit unlucky year for me. I started the year playing really well but that's sport.

"In Cincinnati (last month) and here, I had a problem with the right abdominal and it was difficult for me to serve.

"But he is playing very well and I am very happy for him."

Del Potro will now face Roger Federer in the final later today, pushed to Monday because of the weather, after he saw off Novak Djokovic in straight sets.

The five time champion is looking for his sixth consecutive U.S. Open title and his third grand Slam crown of 2009 after winning the French Open and Wimbledon.

Federer was pushed hard by Djokovic as they both broke once in the opening set to take it to a tie break. While Federer looked unsteady on serve in the opening few games he soon got into his rythmn.

He dominated the tie break, winning it 7-3, to take the first set. Serve dominated the next two sets but just one break in each secured Federer a pot in the final.