The king of clay Rafael Nadal comes up against rising star Lucas Pouille in a Fourth Round clash between veteran and rookie. Join The Roar for live scores from around 4am (AEST).
World No.5 Rafael Nadal has found a spark that has seen him shake off his old age and continual injury, finding some strong form.
The Spaniard’s service game has launched a revival in his career with Nadal having had a strong lead-in to his twelfth US Open, with fourth place at Rio in singles and gold in doubles, as well as a third round exit at Cincinnati.
He’s closing in quickly on a semi-final match-up with world No.1 Novak Djokovic after wins over Denis Istomin 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, Andreas Seppi 6-0, 7-5, 6-1 and Andrey Kuznetsov 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.
Nadal’s new legs will want to go further with his forehand, angles and slice shots improving in an attempt to claim his third title at Flushing Meadows and his first grand slam since 2014.
Lucas Pouille meanwhile has been stretched in his US Open campaign, the Frenchman is in the midst of a record run in New York.
After early exits in Toronto and Cincinnati following a quarter-final finish at Wimbledon, Pouille was pushed to four rounds against Mikhail Kukushkin, winning 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 before Marco Chiudinelli battled him in five 4-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-0.
He then defeated Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6, 7-5, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 to book his place in the fourth round.
Pouille will need a good start against Nadal as he will need to fight off his fatigue which may prove to be his downfall.
Just one meeting has come between the two, with Nadal prevailing at Monte Carlo in straight sets last year 6-2, 6-1.
The winner will move through to a quarter-final against either Gael Monfils or Marcos Baghdatis.
Prediction
Rafael Nadal will progress to the final eight for the first time since last year’s French Open.
Nadal in four sets.
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Don't know if it's that much of a shock loss - Lucas is up and coming, almost top 20 (may be inside that now) QF at Wimbledon against a Nadal past his peak.