September 9, 2017 - 12:05 AMT
Nadal eyes 16th grand slam title at U.S. Open

Rafa Nadal was at his awe-inspiring best as he recovered from a first set wobble to crush Juan Martin del Potro 4-6 6-0 6-3 6-2 in the U.S. Open semi-finals on Friday, September 8 and move within reach of a 16th grand slam title, Reuters reports.

The Spaniard struggled to handle Del Potro’s serve and huge forehand in the opening set before finding his stride to set up a title-decider with South Africa’s Kevin Anderson on Sunday.

Del Potro, who had played a total of nine sets in the two previous rounds as Nadal cruised into the last four, ran out of gas and looked toothless against the Spanish juggernaut.

Nadal ended the 2009 champion’s ordeal with a splendid backhand passing shot on his first match point, four years after his last title at Flushing Meadows.

“It’s been an amazing season for me and I‘m so happy to get a chance to fight for another title after a couple of seasons with injury troubles,” said Nadal, who won a record-extending 10th French Open title in June.

”It means a lot to me. I had to change a couple of things after the first set because I was playing on his backhand too much and he was waiting for me there.