Rafa Nadal injury woes continues as Del Potro makes US Open final

Juan Martin del Potro returned to the US Open final for the first time since winning the title nine years ago as an injured Rafael Nadal was forced to retire midway through their semi-final.

Nadal, who spent more nearly 16 hours on court and went through a gruelling late-night battle with Austrian youngster Dominic Thiem in punishing humidity to reach the last four, called it a night after falling two sets to love down, embracing his good friend Del Potro.



Del Potro, who was leading 7-6 (7-3) 6-2, reached his first Grand Slam final since winning the tournament in 2009.

"It's not the best way to win a match," said Del Potro. "I love to play against Rafa because he's the biggest fighter in this sport. "I'm sad for him."

He will face either Novak Djokovic, the 2011 and 2015 winner or Japan's Kei Nishikori in Sunday's final.

The players enjoyed more comfortable temperatures of 24 degrees Celsius in New York as both men entered a cauldron-like atmosphere on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

And after an exchange of breaks in the first two games, the opener became perfectly poised until Del Potro unleashed his formidable forehand to move ahead in the ninth game, but he then failed to take two set points when serving for the set.

It went to a tie-break where the standard of play and drama exceeded all expectations, and the Argentine controlled proceedings before seizing his opportunity at the third time of asking to take it after 69 minutes.

The Spaniard, who beat Del Potro this year in the French Open semi-finals and Wimbledon quarter-finals, has looked nothing short of brilliant en route to the last four, but he was forced to take a medical timeout after the third game of the next set to have his right knee strapped up.

Nadal, bidding for a fourth title in New York and 18th Grand Slam, was clearly affected by his troubled knee which impaired his movement on court.

Del Potro took full advantage by winning the second set before the defending champion Nadal shook his head one last time before congratulating the giant Argentine.