Djokovic, del Potro in; Nadal limps out
NEW YORK — Defending champion Rafael Nadal retired from his U.S. Open semifinal because of a painful right knee after dropping the opening two sets, putting Juan Martin del Potro back in a Grand Slam final for the first time since he won the 2009 title at Flushing Meadows.
Del Potro was leading 7-6 (3), 6-2 after two hours of play Friday when Nadal shook his head and said he had to stop.
“That was not a tennis match at the end. Just one player playing, the other staying on one side of the court,” the No. 1-seeded Nadal said. “I hate to retire, but staying one more set out there, playing like this, would be too much for me.”
Nadal’s movement was clearly limited, and by the end he was walking with a hitch in his gait between points. At one juncture, he approached the chair umpire to complain about a late call from a line judge and mentioned in passing that he was going to have to quit. Soon after, he did just that.
“Of course, it’s not the best way to win a match,” said del Potro, who hugged Nadal when it was over. “I don’t like to see him suffering on court today. So I’m sad for him.”
For del Potro, it was an odd way to return to an important summit. Nine years ago, he stunned Nadal in the semifinals and Roger Federer in the final at the U.S. Open at age 20. He was considered a rising star, but a series of wrist operations — one on his dominant right arm, and three on his left — slowed his career.
On Sunday, the powerful Argentine will face twotime U.S. Open champion Novak Djokovic, who reached his record-tying eighth U.S. Open final by beating Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
Djokovic missed the tournament last year because of an injured right elbow that eventually required surgery. But he is back at his best as he bids for his third Open title and 14th Grand Slam trophy.
“I don't know how it looked, but it felt really good,” said Djokovic. “Great intensity, great focus, good game plan.”