New York: World number one Rafael Nadal, nagged for years by knee injuries but enjoying a stellar season, already has a prize more treasured than another Grand Slam title – a healthy campaign chasing them.
The 31-year-old Spaniard moved closer to a 16th grand slam title when he recovered from a first set wobble to crush Argentine 24th seed Juan Martin del Potro 4-6 6-0 6-3 6-2 in the semi-finals on Friday.
Nadal struggled to handle his opponent’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 today.
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.
Nadal said the year he has enjoyed has brought a happiness no Slam crown can match after past seasons of misery unable to unleash his best efforts.
“For me, more than winning Grand Slams or not – of course, if I win, I will be more happy – but is about being healthy and feeling well and competitive,” Nadal said. “That’s already happened in the whole season. So that’s the most important thing for me.”
Nadal seeks his third US Open title after 2010 and 2013 and his 16th career major when he faces South African 28th seed Kevin Anderson.
“What is more important, more than winning Slams, is to be happy,” Nadal said. “I am happy if I am healthy and happy if I feel competitive most of the weeks I’m playing and that’s what happened this year.
“I am very happy to win Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and Roland Garros. I am very happy to be in the final here in the US Open... and I am going to fight to win another title here. But still, a great season for me.”
Nadal, who lost to Roger Federer in the Australian Open final but won his 10th French Open crown in June, has reached three Slam finals for the first season since 2011.
He hasn’t won multiple Slams in a season since 2013, but he did thump del Potro for his 15th consecutive Slam semi-final triumph, the last loss coming to del Potro in the South American’s 2009 US Open championship run.
“Important day for me. Important victory against a great opponent,” Nadal said.
“I woke up today and said to myself, ‘Today is the day that I’ll play. I need to play with the right energy, and I need to increase the level of my game.’ A lot of times I know that and it didn’t happen, but today it happened.”
Nadal said that sometimes the only way to get better is to win matches, victories building the final 20 to 30% he needs to maximise his potent game.
“You need to win matches,” Nadal said. “If you practise well and you feel yourself well, you have more chances to win matches in the tournaments.”