Photo by REUTERS/David Gray (UNITED STATES SPORT TENNIS)
“I think this is the best moment of my life.”
So said Juan Martin del Potro after destroying Rafael Nadal: 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 in the US Open semifinals.
“I’m not very strong but I do my best,” he added.
Wow, del Potro can out-hit and out-humble Rafa? Now that’s impressive.
But not as impressive as the Argentine’s performance these past nine months:
Back in January, Juan Martin was bicycled by Roger Federer in the Australian Open quarters: 3-6, 0-6, 0-6. At the time, ESPN commentator Brad Gilbert predicted “It’s going to be at least two more years (until del Potro wins a major.)” Guess the kid learns fast. Since then, Juan Martin defeated Rafael Nadal in Miami, took Federer to the brink at Roland Garros, beat Andy Roddick in the final of D.C., and beat both Roddick and Nadal in Montreal to earn a spot in his first Masters 1000 final, where he lost to Andy Murray. That was his only loss on the hardcourts this summer – del Potro is 16-1 since the start of the US Open series.
If he wants to win his first Major title on his first try, he’ll have to accomplish yet another first. He’s never beaten the two other finals contenders – he’s 0-3 vs. Novak Djokovic and 0-6 vs. Roger Federer.
Time to start cramming, del Po!
Update: In the “for what it’s worth” department, Matt Cronin @TennisReporters says that Rafael Nadal has a 15 millimeter tear in his abdominal muscle and will be out at least a month. (He’s already pulled out of the Davis Cup semi against Israel later this month, replaced by the capable Juan Carlos Ferrero.) Obviously something like this would effect Rafa’s performance, and it’s remarkable that he played as well as he did.
Loading ...Tags: ATP, DelPotro, Djokovic, Federer, Nadal, tennis
Wow. It's been great to see Del Potro evolve. He was just striking the ball so well today with so much depth. He really doesn't get rattled by the big occasions.
Hi JFK!
I agree that it has been delPo's poise at the big moments that has really impressed. I don't care what Rafa's physical condition is – it takes a quality, mentally tough player to beat him in straight sets.
He and Murray are now in a race in my mind – which will win a major first?
Quick update to the post – Rafael Nadal reportedly has a 15 millimeter tear in his abdominal muscle. He'll be out for at least a month. He played well, considering!
At some point Rafa's going to get his body together and win a couple more matches. It wasn't to be this year, but all these losses will just make him hungrier for the win.
Oh, and can someone tell me – is it crazy to play with such an injury? It sounds so serious.
It sounds pretty crazy to me. Remember Venus had a torn stomach muscle and she played one Wimbedlon final against Serena? It took her many months to rehabilitate because of that. Had she not played, it would not have taken so long.
It is crazy, but selfishly, I have to give Rafa credit for not pulling out of the semis. It was a really entertaining match.
Torn anything sounds horrible. Im shocked he even continued to play. 15mm sounds fairly large too. Yikes! Rafa better be careful. First the knees and now the abs. This kid is tearin himself apart. Literally.
"out-humble Nadal" – thats a good one!!
good news all around for me – Fed beat the Djoker and earned a spot in yet another final;
Nadal heard Dudi Sela is coming to town and pulled out of the Davis… come on Israel!!!
You crack me up! The Dudi is coming! (He needs a cameo in the Big Lebrowski, II)
out-hit and out-humble, well said! ff, you know i love watching del po, the intensity and clean ball striking on court and the soft spoken, gentle giant-ness off court. he played unbelievably well and handled break points beautifully. i think he still would have pulled through even if rafa was 100%. del po looked like such a happy spectator when mj interviewed him while watching the fed-djokovic match. he seemed to take it all in.
he has come a long way in a short time. awesome for him!
i gain more and more respect for nadal all the time. he doesn't complain and has been super smiley lately, even in defeat and while injured. he even did an interview on court and signed autographs after being handily dismissed in the semi. what a great example! cannot wait for the finals tonight and mon!
wow…..2 of my faves will face one another in the finals…..whoever wins i'll be happy but of course it will be good if its Roger who will emerge victorious.!
on a different note just wanted to say congrats to kim clijsters. couldn't happen to a nicer person. it's great to have her back. also, goooooooooooooooooo roger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it's been a great tennis day.
The world wanted to see whether it was Andy MURRAY that will break the whole Rafa/Roger spell. But in the end it was DEL POTRO will now stand a chance to so when he takes on the Swiss maestro in the final.
Hell Yeah! I've been waiting for this a long time and finally it has arrived to see an Argentian in a Grand Slam final.
But this match will be no easy ride for him as I still tremendous respect for Fedex. I knew those dark episode he suffered since last years lost at Wimbledon was just a temporary setback for him. Just look how he has bounced back.
For DEL POTRO to win this, he will need to do more than just repeating another prefect game plan he did in the semis against the Matador from Spain. I won't be expecting another epic battle just like the one we witness in last years Wimbledon but surely this will be great final.
So now what is your expectation in this final? What will it take for DEL POTRO to finally lift his cursed against Fedex?
One hell of an effort I think..
Hey freakyfrites, 15 mm is serious, no?? and a month away, will it be enough. and im a big nadal fan so its got me worried……..will he be fine enough to be no 1 again