Juan Martin del Potro admitted he was 'angry' over his US Open semi-final loss to Rafael Nadal before backing the Spaniard to claim a third New York title and 16th Grand Slam triumph
Juan Martin del Potro
Juan Martin del Potro admitted he was 'angry' over his US Open semi-final loss to Rafael Nadal before backing the Spaniard to claim a third New York title and 16th Grand Slam triumph.
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Del Potro dominated the first set as he sought to defeat Nadal just as he did at the same stage of the tournament in 2009 before going on to beat Roger Federer in the final for his only title at the majors. But the emotional and physical toll of seeing off Federer again in the quarter-finals this year, and having to come back from two sets down and save two match points against Dominic Thiem in the last 16, proved too much of a burden.
"To be honest, I'm angry to lose a chance like this, but maybe tomorrow, after tomorrow, I will be calm and see how big the tournament was for me," said Del Potro after his 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 loss to the world number one. He broke the Nadal serve only once — in the fifth game of the opening set — and even that was off a fortunate net cord. "I think I never had control of the match. I was lucky to break his serve with the net point," he admitted.
Friday's loss was Del Potro ninth in 14 meetings against Nadal and he was quick to tip his conqueror to defeat Kevin Anderson in today's final and add to his 2010 and 2013 titles in New York.
"He had the game today to win, to beat me, and to win the tournament," was the 28-year-old's prediction. "I think he's playing much better. He's improved his backhand and he serves good. He's the number one of the world. He's winning many tournaments this year."
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