Rafael Nadal celebrates after reaching the final. (Source: USA Today)Rafael Nadal moved to being just one win away from his fourth US Open title and his 19th Grand Slam title by beating Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (6) 6-4 6-1 in the semi-final on Friday.
Back where he belongs…
See you on Sunday, Rafa! 🙌@RafaelNadal | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/7hek8izb8G
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2019
The 33-year-old put pressure on the underdog Italian’s serve from the start but Berrettini saved six break points to set up a first set tiebreaker.
Berrettini raced out to a 4-0 lead thanks to some uncharacteristically sloppy play from the Spaniard and the 23-year-old had two set points at 4-6.
But Berrettini suddenly got tight and Nadal took advantage, wearing him down in the extended baseline rallies and saving two set points. He managed to overturned the 0-4 deficit soon after and captured the set when the Italian sent a forehand long for his 20th unforced error, leading Nadal to let out a roar.
Rafa’s reaction to winning that first set tiebreak = 💯♨️🔥💪@RafaelNadal | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/hnrqt2DaYR
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2019
Nadal broke Berrettini on his 10th opportunity to take a 4-3 lead in the second set and cruised to the finish, absorbing Berrettini’s powerful forehands and redirecting them to his weaker backhand side to see off the first time slam semi-finalist.
“The first set was a little bit frustrating because I had a lot of break points and you don’t want to be in a tiebreak against a player like Matteo,” Nadal said.
“I survived that moment and finally I had the break. I think I started to play with more calm and was more aggressive.
“I just tried to stay focused on the next point.”
Nadal tipped his hat to the 24th seeded Berrettini, who came through several epic battles to reach the semis in New York.
“He’s young and he has everything,” he said.
“He’s already one of the best players in the world.”
In a rematch of the final of Rogers Cup in Montreal last month, Rafael Nadal will now face Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final on Sunday, aiming for his fourth title in Flushing Meadows. He had turned out as the victor in the previous meeting winning the match 6-3, 6-0.
“He’s one of the more solid players on tour,” Nadal said of the 23-year-old, who will be appearing in his fourth consecutive final and first at a Grand Slam.
“He’s taking steps forward every single week, having an amazing summer. I need to be playing at my best.
“As always in a Grand Slam final you can’t expect an easy opponent.”
If the Spaniard wins the final, he will be just one shy of Roger Federer’s record of 20 Men’s Grand Slam titles.
(with Reuters inputs)
