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2018 US Open, September 8 Men's singles, Semi-finals Arthur Ashe Stadium, Billie Jean King Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York Rafael Nadal vs Juan Martin Del Potro |
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One of the biggest rivalries in tennis will resume with a US Open final spot on the line as Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin Del Potro square off in the first semi-final. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6am (AEST).
The pair last faced off at Wimbledon, where they played one of the matches of the year in a five-set epic as Nadal came away with the victory.
While the heat, humidity and change of surface will throw a spanner in the works, the anticipation ahead of this match will be on the same level, with the duo likely to put on another show.
Nadal holds the overall edge in their head-to-head history, but they have constantly played close matches no matter the surface, and with the Argentinian Del Potro now completely recovered from injuries which had the potential to ruin his career, this should be a cracker.
Del Potro has all the attacking weapons to take apart the best players on tour.
He has the big serve, the booming forehand and a lovely backhand, but he comes up against one of the best defensive players on the ATP tour, Nadal, and has struggled to win the key points and put him away at times this year.
The biggest factor working against Nadal heading into this match is the length of time he has spent on court. In brutal weather conditions, he was pushed to five sets against Dominic Thiem in the last round and played two four-set matches before that.
In contrast, Del Potro has only lost a set so far. If his power game is on point, Nadal may struggle to extend point, chase everything down and make the match physical like he normally does.
Prediction
This is one of the toughest matches to tip. It could go either way, but it’s about time Del Potro got one back on Nadal, who is getting on. He has played some long matches at the US Open and that might finally catch up with him during the fifth.
Del Potro in five sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the first men’s semi-final at the US Open from 6am (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Start time: 6am (AEST)
Court: Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York
TV: Live, ESPN and SBS
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now, WatchESPN, SBS online
Betting: Nadal $1.85, Del Potro $2.10
Overall record: Played 17, Nadal 12, Del Potro 5
Last meeting: Wimbledon QF – Nadal defeat Del Potro 7-5, 6-7, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
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