Rafael Nadal Powers Past Matteo Berrettini to Reach His 27th Major Finals at US Open 2019

Three times champion Rafael Nadal storms into the finals of the US Open 2019 after battling past through Italy’s Matteo Berrettini 7-6(6), 6-4, 6-1 in 2 hours and 35 minutes on Friday.

Set One

Rafael Nadal started the match with a positive note as he held a comfortable service game. While Matteo Berrettini was challenged in his opening service game as the Spaniard earned two breakpoints. However, the Italian stayed calm to close out the game.

In the battle of forehands, Matteo Berrettini was outshining Nadal as he was continuously asking questions to Nadal on the forehand side. Rafael Nadal earned another opportunity to break Berrettini at 4-3, 40-15. However, Berrettini, who is also a sports psychologist did not let his confidence down as he held a crucial game.

The 23-year-old maintained his high standards as he took the set to the tiebreaker. Matteo Berrettini was ripping through the tiebreaker, winning the four points. He was giving Rafael Nadal a run for his money as he earned two set points at 6-4. However, the world No.2, who was always in front in the opening set stormed back in to win four points in a row and take the first set 7-6(6).

That Reaction!!!

Some big forehands here

A perfect record!

Set Two

Rafael Nadal once again started to ask questions on Berrettini’s serve, earning a breakpoint in his opening service game in the second set and taking his second service game till deuce. However, recovering from the first set, the Italian saved the eighth break point of the match so far.

Rafael Nadal, however, finally broke for the first time in the match to get a lead of 4-3 on serve. The Mallorcan then closed out the second set 6-4 without facing a single breakpoint on his serve in the opening two sets. Nadal was just one set away from reaching his 27th Grand Slam finals.

Set Three

Nadal was all over the Italian, who was playing his first major semifinals as he broke him in his opening service game of the third set. He again broke Matteo Berrettini in the 5th game of the third set to get a comfortable lead of 4-1.

The 33-year-old then closed out the set 6-1 after breaking Berrettini again in the 7th game to win the match in straight sets.

With his incredible run at the US Open 2019, Matteo Berrettini will make a debut in the ATP top 20. While Nadal, who is bidding for his 19th Grand Slam title will meet Daniil Medvedev in the finals at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday.