Rafael Nadal’s quest for a third US Open title is still very much alive after recording a heart-stopping 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 win over Juan Martin del Potro in the semifinals on Friday. It was a terrific come-from-behind performance by Nadal who needed two hours and 31 minutes to produce the four-set victory. With the win, Nadal booked a place in the US Open final for the fourth time in his career.
The Spaniard held his composure in this epic battle, committing just 20 unforced errors as opposed to del Potro’s 40. Just like in his quarterfinal romp against Andrey Rublev, Nadal’s serve was impressive once again in this contest. He converted 72 percent (65-of-90) of his first serves against del Potro with the 15-time Grand Slam champion winning 50 of his 65 first serve points.
Waiting in the final for Nadal is the talented Kevin Anderson. This will be the fifth meeting between the two stars in the ATP Tour with Nadal currently holding an impressive 4-0 advantage. Such is Nadal’s superiority in this matchup that the world no. 1 has dropped just one set in his career against the South African. For Nadal to extend his dominance against Anderson, he needs to continue his strong return play in the final. He won 43 percent of his receiving points in the semis against del Potro with the top seed converting six of his 13 break point opportunities. That will be crucial in the final against Anderson who’s serving the lights out in this tournament.
The dream lives on for Kevin Anderson. The South African reached his first career Grand Slam final with a thrilling 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Pablo Carreno Busta in the semifinals of the 2017 US Open on Friday. Anderson dug deep in this back-and-forth contest, needing two hours and 55 minutes to record the marathon win. It was a fantastic performance by Anderson who became the lowest-ranked US Open men’s finalist (No. 32) since the inception of the ATP Rankings in 1973.
Anderson will look to complete his fairytale run when he locks horns with Rafael Nadal in Sunday’s final. For Anderson to record the upset, he will need to continue his excellent play on the service end. Anderson won 83 percent of his first serve points against Carreno Busta. That has been Anderson’s main weapon in this tournament with the Johannesburg native winning 83 percent of his first serve points (336 of 405) through his first six matches. That’s fourth-best in the men’s draw.
Anderson also hammered a whopping 22 aces in that semis win against Carreno Busta. Anderson’s tops in the free-points table in this tournament, recording an incredible 114 aces in this year’s US Open. Anderson also needs to bring his aggressive style and continue his outstanding net play if he is to shock Nadal in the final. He blasted 58 winners in the semis against Carreno Busta. Anderson also won 26 of his 32 net points in that said clash.
Writer’s Prediction
Nadal (-900) eases past Anderson to win his 16th Grand Slam title.
