When the U.S. Open draw revealed itself almost exactly two weeks ago, it had the cruel idea to pit Rafael Nadal against Roger Federer in the semifinals instead of the final. Juan Martin Del Potro had other ideas.
It will be Nadal against Del Potro, instead, after the Argentine upset Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(8), 6-4 during quarterfinal action on Wednesday night. The two former champions of this event will be facing each other for the 14th time in their careers on Friday when they battle for a place in the title match. Nadal leads the head-to-head series 8-5, but Del Potro is 5-4 against the current world No. 1 on hard courts.
They have squared off only once since the end of 2013, with Del Potro prevailing 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(5) in the semifinals of the 2016 Rio Olympics on his way to the silver medal. Perhaps their most memorable–but also more in infamous than famous–encounter came at the same stage of this same tournament in 2009, when Del Potro destroyed Nadal 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 and then stunned Federer in five sets to capture his first and only Grand Slam title.
Given the circumstances, a return trip to the U.S. Open final would be even more improbable–and not just because Del Potro no longer has the same backhand he once wielded prior to multiple left-wrist surgeries. The world No. 28 was all but left for dead earlier this fortnight when an illness plagued him in his fourth-rounder against Dominic Thiem and led to losses of 6-1 and 6-2 in the first two sets. Later saying that he refused to retire only because he did not want to disappoint his throng of supporters, Del Potro found another gear and eventually triumphed 1-6, 2-6, 6-1, 7-6(1), 6-4 in hard-to-believe fashion.
The former world No. 4 preceded that result with routine defeats of Henri Laaksonen, Adrian Menendez-Maceiras, and Roberto Bautista and followed it up by ousting Federer in an entertaining but not exactly a classic four-setter. Del Potro fought off four set points in the third-set tiebreaker against Federer, eventually took it 10-8, and promptly took complete control in the fourth.
Nadal’s trouble at this event came in rounds two and three, when he trailed Taro Daniel by a set and a break and Leonardo Mayer by a set and 15-40 early in the second. The top-seeded Spaniard eventually won both of those contests in four. He also coasted past Dusan Lajovic, Alexandr Dolgopolov, and Andrey Rublev while saving six of his best sets for last–hammering Dolgopolov 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 and Rublev 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
“He’s the No. 1 player of the world and he’s playing so confident this tournament,” Del Potro assessed. “He’s a lefty, so he has (a) chance to find easily my backhand. So I don’t know what’s gonna be my strategy for that match. But for sure I will try to make winners with my forehands and don’t run too much, because my legs are tired. (It) will be (an) interesting match to play.”
“When he’s playing well, it’s difficult to stop him,” Nadal said of Del Potro. “Probably the forehand is maybe the fastest on the tour. If he [is serving] well and [hitting] well his forehand, he’s a player that [has] the chance to win against, of course, everybody. I have to play my best tennis. I need to be very focused with my serve and play aggressive, because if you let him play from good positions with his forehand, you are dead.
“I need to play against his backhand, and then open the court, no?”
Yes, that is correct. Del Potro’s backhand came up big at crucial moments against Federer, but it will be under attack on a consistent basis from Nadal’s heavy topspin. The underdog will have no choice but to come over it with two hands more often than not. It’s a shot that can still be effective but is prone to break down when it comes to this post-surgery, not-as-healthy version of Del Potro. And when the deuce court is open, perhaps no one in the sport–except maybe Del Potro, himself–has a better inside-out forehand than Nadal.
This has been an energy-sapping fortnight both physically and emotionally for Del Potro, so the end may be near.
Pick: Nadal in 4
[polldaddy poll=9824839]
OOP for Friday:
http://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/p_schedule18.pdf
Thanks for the highlights Sanju, loved all except the 2013 FO semi, reason being the net incident which tainted the match for me, and the Novak fans on another certain forum parroting about how unlucky their guy was not to win that match, just cringe now everytime i see or here about that match now ….
Djoko has had misadventures with overheads over the years – that one is one of the more infamous. Rafa says he was a “little bit lucky” there. Rafa also says “a match is a lot of points”.
It was revenge after the 2012 AO final where nadal missed the backhand and crashed.
I say it was fair.
Exactly my point. Novak snatched a very close one that could go rafas way had he not narrowly missed the bh in ao12 . .same for Rafa here…
Similarly rafa has beaten Roger over many close ones in a slam over the years so he deserved the final top this time. It always can’t go one person’s way amongst top players.
Alison Hodge says AT 6:54 PM: “…the net incident which tainted the match for me…”
===
You shouldn’t let yourself be intimidated by Djoko fans who don’t know the tennis rules.
To add to my post AT 8:02 PM,
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DJJatskXgAEZdYK.jpg
Ive made my point, really hate that match, end of ….
Delpo in 4. I have no doubts. Nadal’s partially “parabolic” balls are a clear advantage for Delpo, a solemn invitation to his strong and lethal forehand. Rafa has no chances against him, but we will see…
”Rafa has no chances” sentence is clearly the most ridiculous one i have read in 2017 . Congrats .
I can’t see Nadal losing this one with so much on the line. He will push Delpo to the absolute limit to win it in terms of defense and offense.
Nadal blinked in the Aus Open final with a lot on the line, i don’t think that will happen again here.
This is really a final also and we know what Nadal is like in finals.
Nadal in 4.
Juan Martin Del potro might win in 4 sets or 5 sets but if Rafito wins this match not only will R. Nadal win the title but he deserves to win it.
Your arguments did not help me decide who ti put my phone bill/water bill money on. I think I’m just betting over 41 games then since everyone says it’s tight.
Nadal in 3
I am strongly backing Stan’s prediction of Juan Martin Del Potro to win in 4 sets or 5 sets. If DelPo wins this SF, he will definitely win the 2017 US OPEN title.
I have listed 8 strong points why Delpo should win the 2017 US OPEN in one of my above posts. Check it out and respond/discuss in detail here 1st b4 betting!
BB = Delpo +4.5 handicap points, over 39 games or whatever number your bookie gives
As with an additional days rest (saturday), Delpo should be able to beat Kevin Anderson in 4 or 5 sets in the FINALS and become the 2017 US OPEN Champion for the 2nd time.
Tomorrow Kevin will beat the clay courter PCB ( who has looked good beating low level qualifiers and brain washing many bettors here to bet and lose money on him…just like somebody was brainwashing all of us to bet on CoCo Vandeweghe…who was smashed 6-0,6-1 by Madison Keys. Same can happen to PCB or over can hit as all spanish dogs are great fighters…who will fight hard until the end!) in 3 or 4 or 5 sets (it all depends on how much PCB wants to fight b4 he loses like in the previous 2 easy H2H match loses!lol). PCB losing in 3 or 4 sets is most likely. Over can hit but not betting on it or bet just small on it.
BB = Kevin ML,-1,-2,(can try -3,-4 or more in LB)
I hope this helps Uncle SAM(lol) in making up your mind to bet…with your phone bill/water bill money!
WARNING:-
Just as Cigarette smoking & drinking alcohol is Injurious to health, betting blindly without doing your own 100% thorough research is dangerous for your pockets/Bank Balance!lol
Just as you own the Cancer caused by drinking Cigarettes (after smoking/drinking Cigarettes & Alcohol much against your doctor’s, Family, Friend’s and Relatives advice), own your betting profits as well as your losses without blaming the Cancer (lol or anyone!)!lol
Roger Moore, in WTA, What’s you pick? I’m rooting for Stephen Sloanes to win over Madison Keys. Is it good or what do you think?
even with an injured wrist , rafa was so close winning at the olympics last year . this delpo is better than that delpo ; but this rafa is better at least 5 times than that Rafa . Best player to create the game on playing opponent’s backhand on tour . He is THE specialist on that . I’ll go with Rafa in 4 , wont be easy but wont be tough as hell either .
The term, “at least 5 times”, is exaggerated. IMO. If he’s really 5 times better, then, you should have picked, Rafa in 3 (or scoreline 6-1 6-1 6-1).
I mentioned 2016 model Rafa . yes he is 5 times better now and yes still he may lose a set . that is not exaggerated , delpo is playing decent as well but if you still want a bet option , go with over 3.5 set betboy 🙂
Augusta08 im not intimidated and i know the rules, i just get highly irritated, when in actual fact Rafa shouldve won the match in the fourth set, match had no buisness even going to a fifth anyway ….
Try to be happy that Rafa won his 8th RG title.
3, 4, 5 sets, dont care, just want Rafael to win this match, and then the title ….
Augusta08 dont worry im delighted 😉
Hope Rafa can put aside his nervousness..and give his best and then everything will come naturally for him..also hope he don’t have to go to 5th,just in case he needs energy for the final…
Should Rafa beat Delpotro , i certainly wont be taking Anderson or PCB lightly either ….
Strange we rafans right. Most rafans never gave delpo a chance against Roger including me but most of us are worried for rafa against delpo.
Same if it was Roger against Anderson or busta he would be told no need to even play the match 🙂
You here all the time how crap Rafa is on every surface all bar clay, yet he has 5 GS off clay, thats why id love him to win this USO to shut a few people up ….
True that and apart from Roger and Novak no active player has more than 3 slams
An ex-player’s take on why Federer lost to Delpo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10sjW3FC2zQ
Consciously not but sub consciously maybe. But its difficult to say. Its left to interpretation. Only Fed knows the truth. Only thing I can see is Fed not winning a TB having 4 set points and few on his serve is wierd and almost impossible.
Did this guy just say Anderson will beat Rafa?
For the avoidance of doubt, I wanna say here and now this guy is not me, @RITB. I have voiced similar sentiments about Fed’s loss to Delpo on this very forum that some people might think this guy is me. Nope, cross my heart and hope to die………
Further proof: this guy presents his case much more eloquently than me, more persuasively too.
For me, the clincher were Fed’s own words post-match, when he said Delpo stood a better chance of beating Rafa than him in his condition. Seriously, that right there does not need further elaboration.
He also said Rafa very focussed this tournament, practicing very well and playing very well..used words like Rafa well within himself 🙂
@Sanju, that jumped at me watching Fed’s post match interview, particularly the detail about how well Rafa was practicing and playing within himself. Sounded to me, at the time, like Fed had been scouting Rafa…………
Yes that caught my attention too..his minute details about Rafa, his focus, his practice, the hours he putting in …I mean I am sure news travels fast but still openly saying it as well as openly admitting DElpo has better chance of beating Rafa than he himself was so unlike Fed. Either he has mellowed with age or just being brutally honest.
I thought what the video guy said about Fed targeting Delpo’s FH was also interesting. Watched Delpo’s post match interview and he said he expects Rafa to find his BH easily with his lefty FH………
Delpo said his BH held up pretty well in the Fed match, will be interesting to see how it fares against Rafa……..
Who will think its you? I thought you were a lady..is my understanding incorrect?
Yes, @Sanju, I am a lady, although some not so nice people might disagree! ?
The context is that this guy is saying exactly what I said post the Fed/Delpo match it’s uncanny. I said Fed lost because he wanted no part in playing Rafa in the semi and one poster, @Kevin I think his name is, took particular exception to my opinion, to the extent of telling me I know nothing about sport, an assumption I found rather strange given he knows nothing about me. Anyways, I’m glad I am not the only one with this opinion, and this guy not only knows sports, he has played top level tennis professionally so @Kevin cannot accuse him of being a sporting numbskull at least! Still, this guy’s take, and mine, are just opinions, not fact.
why do you think this guy said Anderson can beat Rafa? Didnt he say that? He said Nadal will beat Delpo and win the final but in same breath also added Anderson can beat Rafa
I thought he said Anderson would win his semi @Sanju, I don’t think he opined on the final.
RITB, I completely agree with you. Roger atm doesn’t feel up to taking on Rafa for whatever reasons and he hopes that Delpo has more left in the tank and can take out Rafa. That’s why I call his loss to Delpo a tactical loss 😉
Short of screaming, “I tapped”! in that post match interview, Roger couldn’t have made it more obvious……….
When did I ever say anything about you not knowing anything about tennis? I said that you just not have played any competitive sports in your life IF you really think that any professional athlete doesn’t want to win against the best. And I stick by that statement. You’re trolling of non-Rafa players is precisely what makes me and others frustrated with these types of sites. Why can’t you just chear on your player while respecting the others? Suggesting that a player purposely loses because they don’t want to face a certain player is not only disrespectful, but it makes the assumption that the sport of pro tennis is just a joke, and there’s no actual value in competition and winning. If what you suggest is true, then why the hell would Federer have won the 5th set against Wawrinka in the AO semis this year? Surely he should have just lost the 5th set on purpose because he was afraid to face Rafa, right? You lost any credibility as a tennis fan when you suggest that a player purposely lost because they don’t want to face someone they have beat 4 times in a row. Roger and Rafa have ALWAYS wanted to face and beat each other. Anyone at the top of their sport has immeasurable competitive drive. They may say, “Oh, I don’t want to face ____!” But there is no way that Rafa, Federer, Djokovic, Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Messi, or any all-time great athlete, doesn’t want to beat their biggest rivals. That’s how competition works. And it’s really disappointing to see your bias toward one player cause you to disrespect what these guys do and have done. I will apologize for one thing, though- I did assume that you were a male, and I apologize for that. I shouldn’t assume that all people who troll Federer or Nadal are just insecure men…
@ Kevin, How do you know I have never played competitive sport? You know nothing about me to make such sweeping conclusions. Stay in your lane, stay out of mine.
You’re right. I should rephrase it- I wouldn’t be surprised if you had never competed competitively in sports if you really think that a top athlete doesn’t want to win, no matter who it’s against. There is no point in playing a sport if you don’t want to win, and these guys are the best of the best. Also, this is a site for people sharing opinions- there is no “your lane” and “my lane” on here. You have the right to troll the player you don’t like, and I have the right to call you out for it. Simple.
Be more careful with your phrasing next time. Do not make assumptions about people you know noting about. It makes you sound like……..a troll. Oh wait, that is exactly what you have been doing, trolling me.
Troll on…..
You are right, RIBT. I did show some troll tendency there. I was a little hypocritical in that sense. If you can’t tell, I am so fed up (no pun intended) with the lack of respect that many fans of Federer and Nadal often have for the other guy. I get it- the two of them have been equally deserving of the “GOAT” title for a long time, and that makes fans of each guy really insecure. Of course people want their favorite player to be considered the greatest. But with that insecurity often comes disrespect and mean-spirited comments. I just don’t understand why fans can’t be competitive with each other without being so damn sensitive and insecure.
I think it’s actually kind of a cycle- the tennis media has largely adopted this story-line that Federer is the ONE and ONLY greatest of all-time, and I just think that is wholly untrue. I’ve said this on here too many times to count now, but one can absolutely make an argument for either Fed, Rafa, or Novak being the greatest player ever. Since it is so close and it’s like splitting hairs, I’ve always taken the stance that we have a 5-man Mount Rushmore of Men’s Tennis, which (imo) includes the Big 3, Sampras, and Laver. I wish that the sports media at-large would adopt a more balanced approach to discussing the greatest players ever. Anyway, since the media so widely proclaims Federer as the undisputed goat, well then of course you’re going to have Rafa and Novak fans up in arms, as they rightfully should be! And that’s where the ugliness of social media comes in. Non-Federer fans see him on media, especially social media, being called the lone-goat, and some Federer fans do it in an overly bragadocious way. That only triggers a very angry, defensive response from some of the Rafa/Novak fans. And then it just becomes an all-out social media shit-talking and trolling battle between the factions. And it’s so pointless! It does nothing but make people hate the other two players and their fans. And I just wish there was a way to get people to drop their weapons (smart phones/keyboards) and start discussing these three guys for what they are, unquestionably- the 3 greatest players who ever lived. However, I’m not so naive to think that that will ever happen. It would take a massive effort on the part of the sports media, in tandem with the die-hard fans who are more mean-spirited than others. I wish there was a way I could start this process…
As for your comment, RIBT, I have obviously seen far worse trolling of the Big 3 than what you have said. It isn’t even the actual basis of what your arguing that irks me. It’s the way you say it. I’ve seen you make good arguments, but then include disses against Federer himself. That’s why I reacted the way I did to you. There is a big difference between having some doubt deep down entering a tournament about whether or not you would be able to give your all against the best. It’s another thing to suggest, without evidence, that Federer was just “afraid” to face Rafa. Him saying that he wouldn’t fancy his chances against Rafa right now is not evidence that he purposefully lost his match against Del Po because he was afraid to face Rafa. Just like I should not have assumed you never played sports, you should not assume that Federer purposely threw a match. Sure there will always be people who have experience in tennis (like the guy in the video you’re discussing) who will say that they suspect that Federer threw the match, but what about the experienced ones who would suspect that throwing a match is something that is not in the DNA of Federer, Rafa, Djokovic, Murray, etc.? Overall, the bias and insecurity of some Big 3 fans just really bothers me, and as you can see, it fires me up. I’m willing to truce with you and admit I showed hypocrisy in suggesting you have never played sports. I do wish, however, that the die-hard fans of the Big 3 would make more of an effort to just root on their guy without disrespecting the other 2. I choose this site because that aspect is way better on this site than other ones. Everyone can point fingers at which fans they think are the worst, which of the three are the best, but everyone should know that all three of them are amazing champions, and the truth is that there are so many factors at play that it is truly like splitting hairs in trying to prove that one of them is “better” than the others. It’s so insanely subjective that I believe it is way better to just call them the “Holy Trinity” or some silly name like that.
I really do apologize for making assumptions about you, RIBT. It was wrong of me. I would like to think that others on here can attest that I am not a mean person on here, I just get really passionate and frustrated by the ultra-bias that sometimes comes out of die-hard fans of the Big 3.
@Kevin, apology accepted. Thank you.
Here is why I reacted the way I did:
1. This is a tennis forum to discuss professional tennis, WTA and ATP. This means we the posters/fans get to discuss the professional tennis players, any players, and their game. How am I trolling Federer, or any player, if I am discussing them on a tennis forum? You cannot call it trolling just because you disagree with my opinion on a player, I do not get that. Otherwise we may as well not discuss tennis players, in which case what is the point of the forum? You may not agree with my opinion and that is fair, you are entitled to a different opinion but saying I am trolling Federer sounds like an attempt to shut me up and that is not on.
2. Questioning my sporting nous was an attempt to discredit my opinion on whether Fed “tanked” or not. I think this was unfair. Again, this is a tactic used by people to silence others, especially women and that is not fair. Attack my opinion, don’t attack me. I presented my arguments on why I thought Fed did not want to meet Rafa in the semis, please present your arguments on why I am wrong. To say I am wrong because “I do not play sports” is a diversionary tactic which does not enhance the discussion about the topic at hand at all.
You have every right to disagree with me and I welcome that. That is the reason I post here, to engage in spirited discussions with other posters and believe it or not, I actually enjoy engaging with those who disagree with me more than with those who agree with me all the time!
Lastly, may I suggest you do not take the “insults” we lobby at players too seriously? It’s banter. I am not a Fedfan but that does not mean I hate him. Even if I did, what difference does that make to Fed? Does he even know I exist, let alone change his life because I said something awful about him? No. I am a Rafan, I appreciate that there are tennis fans out there who do not like him and that is okay. I will not try to censor what they say about him. I will respond like a Rafan! It’s all part of the fun, at least I hope.
I do no think you are a mean person, I just think you misunderstood me. If I say something mean about Fed, Djokovic or any other player, I am not being a “hater”, I am merely provoking discussion from other fans.
Please do not feel constrained in engaging me, fire away, I will fire away in kind!
Enjoy the rest of the Slam, keeping fingers crossed Rafa wins tonight!
After all that, what did this guy really say, sounded like noise and a butt heart fan to me!! Federer lost to a better player on the day, hey, it happens!! Whats the point of all this analysis!! And if Rafa does not play well he will lose too!!! Simple!!
Federer is 19 GS Champion, he can afford to lose GSs!! He is not entitled to them, give me a break!! I would like Rafa to win his 16th, but if he plays like crap and loses, then thats too bad!! But he is not entitled!!
Just looking forward to a great match, and that Rafa brings his A game, thats all!!!
painful video to watch at the beginning… between the coughing and picking at nose… but finally makes his point.
‘painful video to watch at the beginning… between the coughing and picking at nose’ Lol, indeed!!!
what video
Enjoy guys…precursor to what may come tonight 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l76_wU3_sTk
Vamos Rafa! It won’t be easy, though… Delpo is playing great and is on “adrenaline injection” but I hope Rafa uses his weapons well to beat Delpo. Hope Rafa’s forehand works perfectly, hope Rafa serves well, hope it’s nice and hot out there, hope Rafa wears Delpo down and hope Rafa finishes in 4 at most!
Great achievement to be in USO semis again! We love you Rafa! ❤️
Vamos!