U.S. Open: Rafael Nadal advances to face Kevin Anderson in the men’s final.
NEW YORK - Once Rafael Nadal went from passive to aggressive and got his uppercut of a forehand going, it didn’t take long for him to power into the U.S. Open final.
Closing in on a third title at Flushing Meadows and 16th Grand Slam championship overall, Nadal overcame a so-so start with an overwhelming performance the rest of the way Friday night, taking nine games in a row during one stretch to beat 2009 champion Juan Martin del Potro 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinals.
“He played so smart from the second set until the end of the match,” del Potro said. “He was dominant.”
No. 1 Nadal will be a significant favorite Sunday against No. 32 Kevin Anderson of South Africa, who beat Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 to become the lowest-ranked U.S. Open finalist since the ATP’s computer rankings began in 1973. The 6-foot-8 Anderson, who won an NCAA doubles title at the University of Illinois, is equipped with a big serve, certainly, but he only once had even been a quarterfinalist at a major until this week. He’s also lost all four previous matches against Nadal.
Plus there’s this: Nadal looked as good as ever over the last three sets against del Potro, further confirmation of his return to the height of his powers. Nadal is again healthy and capable of excellence, after wrist and knee injuries dulled his effectiveness in 2015 and 2016 — the first seasons since 2004 in which he not only failed to win a Grand Slam trophy but didn’t even make a final.
“It’s been an amazing season, of course, after a couple of years with some troubles, injuries, tough moments,” Nadal said. “So this year, since the beginning, has been a very emotional year.”
He reached the Australian Open final in January, losing to Roger Federer, then claimed his record 10th French Open championship in June.
When Nadal’s uncle and coach, Toni, was asked to describe his nephew’s year, this was the reply: “It’s easy to describe it. He has played really good.” No. 3 Clemson vs. No. 13 Auburn, 4 p.m., ESPN Line: Clemson -6 Playoff ramifications even though both schools can win their conferences after a loss in this one. Still, with difficult schedules ahead neither Auburn in the Southeastern Conference nor Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference wants to put themselves in must-win-the-rest-of-them this early in the season.
Saturday’s games