It wasn’t to be for the popular Spaniard after succumbing to a familiar tendonitis injury at the end of the second set.
Nadal fought hard but couldn’t match it with a fresh Del Potro, who took the first 7-6.
It was the first game of the second set where it became noticeable that Nadal was having issues with his knee and it was then that Del Potro really took control of the match.
Del Potro dominated on his first serves, winning 70 percent of them. He also took advantage on a lack of power in Nadal’s serve, winning 61 percent of Nadal’s second serves.
It’s the 10th time del Potro has beaten the No. 1 player, so this isn’t new ground for him. Even though it didn’t come in an ideal way, del Potro has more than earned his spot.
The final score was 7-6, 6-2.
Novak Djokovic through to his 8th US Open final
It didn’t take long to see that Djokovic was at the top of his game when defeating Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-4 6-2.
Djokovic was in control from start to finish but it didn’t stop the 2014 runner-up fighting to the finish.
Nishikori faced 14 break points during the match but made Djokovic fight for every one of them and conceded only 4 in the end.
Djokovic will now face a fresh and better than ever Del Potro in the final and with both men in fine form, this is sure to be one of the great US Open finals.
TIP: Djokovic
