RUTHLESS NADAL ENDS DEL POTRO’S DREAM
Spaniard gets his revenge against the Argentine
NEW YORK since that moment, because I (was) going to play against the toughest opponent in that moment, and that opponent, as I said before, coming with big confidence.
“I wake up today and say to myself, ‘Today is the day that I’ll play’. I need to play with the right energy, and I need to increase the level of my game.”
Nadal did not get off to the brightest of starts, dropping the opening set as he struggled to handle the towering Argentine’s serve and huge forehand.
But in the second, the World No 1 seemed to flick a switch and ignite the after burners. Clearly the fresher of the two players after two speedy straight set wins, Nadal used it to his full advantage.
After a draining epic five-setter against Thiem and no less taxing four set quarter-finals win over Federer, Del Potro simply seemed to run out of gas.
Nadal did not hesitate to inflict pain and punishment, rampaging through the rest of the match by winning 18 of 23 games, including nine straight ones to sweep the second set and a 3-0 lead in the third. “Important day for me. Important victory against a great opponent,” beamed Nadal.
“He came to that match with confidence after beating Roger (Federer), Dominic (Thiem) too.
“A lot of the matches he played this tournament have been a tough one. But at the same time, I think I played a solid match.
“After the first set I changed it a little bit, changed my tactic, strategy a little bit. And that made the difference.”
After taking down the 6-foot, 6inch (198cm) Del Potro, Nadal will face another tall order in tomorrow’s final where he will face 6foot 8-inch (203cm) South African Kevin Anderson. Reuters from shoulder to knees and at the end of last year, to his hip, he has bounced back brilliantly to put his name in the history books.
“It’s definitely about perseverance,” Anderson said. “I feel like I’ve kept my head down and kept working hard.
“There have been a lot of ups and downs and I feel really happy, I’ve always kept belief.
“It’s been a terrific couple of weeks and I’ve got an opportunity to step on the court in a final and that’s something I’m going to be really excited about.”
Anderson has been working on his on-court presence with his team, including Alexis Castorri, the sports psychologist who has worked with Andy Murray.
“It think it helps me to play my best tennis,” Anderson said.
It might have taken time, but it has been worth the wait. Reuters