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2019 US Open, Men's singles semi-final Arthur Ashe Stadium, Billie Jean King Tennis Center, New York Matteo Berrettini (Italy) vs Rafael Nadal (Spain) |
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Rafael Nadal will be out for another fast progression at the US Open when he takes on the Italian surprise packet Matteo Berrettini in the second semi-final. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the match, starting from around 8am (AEST).
There is absolutely nothing in the form or stats line to suggest that Berrettini, who had never been past the second round at a grand slam previously, was going to have a deep run through the US Open.
His form line was virtually nothing coming into the US Open. While he is an all-court, all-style player, he only played a single match between Wimbledon and the US Open, coming in the form of a first-round, straight-set loss to the unknow Juan Ignacio Londero at Cincinnati.
Instead of fumbling around at the US Open though, he made a statement in the first round by powering past Richard Gasquet, and has since gone on to beat Jordan Thompson, Alexei Popyrin, Andrey Rublev and Gael Monfils, getting past the entertaining Frenchman in a stunning five-set quarter-final.
He has played a strong brand of tennis, happy to explore the court and use his power, but that series of opponents, with all due respect, will have nothing on the challenge Nadal is about to offer him.
Nadal, who is a picture of consistency, made the semi-final at Wimbledon and won his only tournament in between at Montreal, before heading to New York and absolutely dominating.
He has barely raised a sweat, getting a walkover in the second round to help the fitness, and only dropping a single set, which came against Marin Cilic in the fourth round.
As with any match against Nadal, the only way to beat him is to upset the rhythm, employ different returning positions and play to the best level you possibly have, but most of the time, and in this match, it just probably isn’t going to be enough for Berrettini.
The pair have never played before this meeting, and the winner will advance to the final on Sunday evening US time.
Prediction
Nadal is dominant. You feel the only thing that’ll slow him down here is himself, or injury. If he comes out and plays at the level we all know he is absolutely capable of, then this will be about as one-way traffic as it gets.
Nadal in straight sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from around 8am (AEST) or at the conclusion of the first semi-final in the men’s tournament between Grigor Dimitrov and Daniil Medvedev on the Arthur Ashe Stadium, and don’t forget to get involved by adding a comment in the section below.
Start time: Around 8am (AEST)
Venue: Arthur Ashe Stadium, Billie Jean King Tennis Center, New York
TV: Live, ESPN, SBS
Online: Live, Kayo Sports, Foxtel App, Foxtel Now, Watch ESPN, Fetch TV, SBS on Demand
Betting: Nadal $1.04, Berrettini $10
Overall record: Never played
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2019 US Open men's semi-finals. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. I'll be back tomorrow at 6am (AEST) for the women's singles final between Serena Williams and Bianca Andreescu. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, a great performance in the end from Nadal. Really had to fight for it early though. Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, RAFAEL NADAL Too easy. Nadal with a huge inside out forehand to finish it off as he gets up inside the court, dropping on the line. Berrettini won't be happy, but he can be happy with the performance he put in during the first two sets, fighting and pushing Nadal hard. But Nadal is all class, and he will play Daniil Medvedev in the final. Berrettini... 6 4 1 Nadal......... 7 6 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE. Down the T from Berrettini. Challenged. Out. The second serve is into the net, so a double fault brings up match point. Berrettini... 6 4 1 - 30 Nadal......... 7 6 5 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal now returns serve long on the forehand side. Kick serve from Berrettini. Berrettini... 6 4 1 - 30 Nadal......... 7 6 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Berrettini now with a forehand into the net. Berrettini... 6 4 1 - 15 Nadal......... 7 6 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Poor drop shot now from Berrettini and Nadal sends the pass up the line. Berrettini... 6 4 1 - 15 Nadal......... 7 6 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Berrettini now serving to stay in the match. Goes up the T and Nadal can't return. Berrettini... 6 4 1 - 15 Nadal......... 7 6 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal serves wide, goes back in behind, then sends a forehand back up the line. Another love hold and Rafa is pumped up. Berrettini... 6 4 1 - Nadal......... 7 6 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal serves out wide, then comes to the net, before he has to backpedal, getting to the lob and making a ridiculous backhand. SHOT OF THE DAY. Berrettini... 6 4 1 - 0 Nadal......... 7 6 4 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal to the backhand now and Berrittini slices a backhand into the net. Berrettini... 6 4 1 - 0 Nadal......... 7 6 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal now to serve with this double break and two sets to the good. He starts down the middle, then follows it up with a forehand down the sideline. Berrettini... 6 4 1 - 0 Nadal......... 7 6 4 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
DOUBLE BREAK NADAL There is the double break. Great backhand up the line and he is almost there. Berrettini... 6 4 1 - Nadal......... 7 6 4 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Berrettini just all power there on the forehands, but he comes to the net and the Nadal passing shot is a good one. Berrettini... 6 4 1 - Nadal......... 7 6 3 - AD
Scott Pryde
Expert
Lovely. Berrettini with a drop shot and he was helped by Nadal slipping, but it works. Berrettini... 6 4 1 - deuce (1) Nadal......... 7 6 3 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Good depth from Nadal, but an awesome backhand down the line from Berrettini gets the job done there. Berrettini... 6 4 1 - 30 Nadal......... 7 6 3 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Berrettini. Kick serve to follow, then Nadal comes forward off a net chord and misses the forehand. Berrettini... 6 4 1 - 15 Nadal......... 7 6 3 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Berrettini starting to look very defeated out there. Had a decent overhead that time, but Nadal answers it and Berrettini puts a forehand into the net post. Berrettini... 6 4 1 - 0 Nadal......... 7 6 3 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Berrettini. The second is returned on the forehand, then Berrettini puts a ball into the net. Berrettini... 6 4 1 - 0 Nadal......... 7 6 3 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Great forehand return from Nadal, then a ball back to the corner and Berritini finds the net. Berrettini... 6 4 1 - 0 Nadal......... 7 6 3 - 15