At the beginning of this year’s U.S. Open, the rest of the field was given next to no chance against the Big 3.
Two of the Big 3 exited prior to the semifinals…and the rest of the field still appears to have no chance.
Even though Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are out, Rafael Nadal continues to run roughshod through a draw that has been perfect for him from the start. It is becoming even better for Nadal by the day, despite the fact that his opponents are throwing everything but the kitchen sink at him. Diego Schwartzman was the latest to do that–as he always done–in a 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 loss to the second-ranked Spaniard during quarterfinal action on Wednesday night. Schwartzman recovered from a double-break down in each of the first two sets to get back on serve both times and he kept Nadal out there for two hours and 47 minutes despite bowing out in straight sets.
Nadal squandered a 4-0 lead in the opening set but broke the 21st-ranked Argentine at 5-4 to regain momentum. Nadal blew all of a 5-1 advantage in the second, only to once again recover when it mattered most to take the last two games. Although the three-time U.S. Open champion got precautionary treatment for forearm cramping in the third set, he rolled the rest of the way to finish off Schwartzman in convincing fashion.
“I don’t know how, but these guys are improving every time,” Schwartzman said of the Big 3.
“I’m feeling good,” Nadal assured. “Today was very humid day, very heavy day. I had some cramps in the end of the second, and, yeah, first five games, six games of the third. And then I take some salt, that’s all, and then was over. Well, the body is in good shape, I think. No, not big problems. Just of course now a little bit tired, long day, 1:30. Need to go to sleep. But I really believe that I going to be in good shape.”
Next up for Nadal is another player outside the top 20 making a surprising run in New York City. Matteo Berrettini, a fourth-round performer at Wimbledon, outlasted Gael Monfils 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(5) in a day-session match that lasted three hours and 57 minutes.
The world No. 25 is through to a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time in his career, having never previously advanced even to the quarters.
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