ATP US Open: Rafael Nadal defeats Matteo Berrettini to set Medvedev clash

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World no. 2 and the three-time US Open champion Rafael Nadal is through to the 27th Grand Slam final and the fifth in New York, defeating Matteo Berrettini 7-6, 6-4, 6-1 in two hours and 34 minutes. Competing in the first Grand Slam semi-final, Matteo gave his best to follow the rival's pace in sets one and two that lasted for more than two hours combined before Nadal found the range in set number three to cross the finish line and stay on the title course, facing Daniil Medvedev in the final on Sunday. Only the fourth Italian in the Grand Slam semi-final in the Open era, Berrettini fired 37 winners but also 44 unforced errors, some of those in the crucial moments to plague his chances for a more positive result.

Also, Nadal lost only 13 points in service games, never facing a break point and controlling the scoreboard once he saved two set points in that challenging opening set that lasted for almost 75 minutes! Overall, it was another very solid performance from the Spaniard under the closed roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium, wasting six break chances in the opening set including a set point and having to give his best in the tie break where Matteo had the upper hand and a 5-2 and 6-4 advantage. Winning four straight points, Nadal stole the breaker and the momentum, serving better and better as the match progressed and finally stealing Berrettini's serve in the seventh game of the second set when the youngster netted a backhand slice, closing the set with a hold at love at 5-4 to set the steady course towards the victory.

Berrettini played well up to that point but fell apart in set number three, barely taking a point on the return and suffering three straight breaks of serve, propelling Nadal into the third Major final of the season after a forehand crosscourt winner from the Spaniard in game seven. 

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from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2ZSbGYF

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