Federer physical struggle too much

ROGER Federer has conceded he was not in the right shape to challenge for another grand slam title as the elusive US Open clash against Rafael Nadal slipped away again.

After the Spaniard defeated Andrey Rublev, it seemed virtually nailed on that New York would witness a first meeting at the event between the great beasts of men’s tennis in the semi-finals.

Juan Martin del Potro, sick and exhausted after his epic comeback to beat Dominic Thiem on Monday, surely would not have it in him to beat the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion.

However, the Argentinian again showed what a huge heart he possesses, saving four set points in the third set tie-break and going on to win 7-5 3-6 7-6 (10/8) 6-4.

This is the sixth time Federer and Nadal have come within one match of meeting in New York but the missed chance was not uppermost in Federer’s mind.

The 36-year-old insisted it was his physical struggles, along with the form of Del Potro, that decided the match.

Federer arrived in New York nursing a back problem but appeared to have put the doubts behind him after surviving two five-set matches in the opening rounds.

Asked if he was thinking about Nadal, the third seed said: “I wasn’t. You were. It’s not more frustrating. It’s been a very tough tournament all the way through.

“I honestly was only thinking about tonight. My head didn’t even wander during the match. I knew it was going to be a tough one. I had struggled too much throughout the tournament to think too far ahead.

“In some ways I’m actually happy I made the quarters, so I’m not disappointed, because it’s been a good run this year already. Unfortunately I ran into a guy who was better.”