New York: Rafael Nadal, called a “lion” by his latest victim and “the greatest fighter ever” by his next opponent, stalks his 19th Grand Slam title in Friday’s US Open semi-finals.
The 33-year-old Spaniard, forced to retire from last year’s semi-finals with knee pain, is feeling healthy now and ready to pounce upon Italy’s 24th-seeded Matteo Berrettini.
“He’s serving huge, big forehands, moving well, and big confidence because he’s having a great year, so let’s see. I need to play my best,” Nadal said of his first-time foe. “Looks relaxed, looks he’s ready to fight for important things.” At stake is a berth in Sunday’s final at Arthur Ashe Stadium against a first-time Grand Slam finalist — the winner between Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev and Bulgaria’s 78th-ranked Grigor Dimitrov, who upset 20-time Slam champion Roger Federer in a five-set quarter-final thriller. “I saw some matches of him here. He was playing unbelievable,” Medvedev said.
“We all know what he’s capable of when he’s playing like he can.” The same is true about Nadal, who dispatched Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman in the quarter-finals. “Like a lion in the middle of the jungle,” Schwartzman said of Nadal. “He’s big. He’s a fighter. He knows how to play the important moments every single time.”
Berrettini, at 23 a decade younger than Nadal, heaped on greater praise. “I think he’s the greatest fighter ever in this sport,” the Italian said.
“It’s unbelievable (what) he’s doing. I admire him, the way he is on the court, like his attitude is something I think it’s close to perfection.” (AFP)
