Nadal beats Martin del Potro to reach US Open final

Top seed Rafael Nadal swept past Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro in brilliant style to set up a US Open final against Kevin Anderson.

The Spaniard won nine games in a row at one stage on his way to a 4-6 6-0 6-3 6-2 victory in the second semi-final.

Nadal, 31, will try for a third US Open and 16th Grand Slam title today, against a surprise opponent.

South African Anderson, 31, beat Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4 earlier on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

At 32 in the world, Anderson is the lowest-ranked man to reach a singles final at Flushing Meadows since the ranking system was introduced in 1973.

He faces a huge challenge against Nadal, who has a 4-0 record in their head-to-head and grew stronger as the match wore on against a tired Del Potro.

“It means a lot,” said Nadal. “It has been an amazing season of course after a couple with injures and troubles.”