Nadal to face Anderson in US Open final

New York, September 9: Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday (September 9) to enter the US Open final.

The world number one Spaniard will face South African Kevin Anderson in the final on Sunday (September 10).

Earlier, Kevin Anderson of South Africa became the lowest-ranked US Open finalist since 1973, getting to the title match beating Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.

Anderson was so excited that he celebrated his semifinal victory as if it made him the champion, stepping on a chair and then a flower box to help him climb into his guest box in the stands.

"I don't know if it's appropriate," said Anderson, a 31-year-old who won an NCAA doubles title at the University of Illinois. "It certainly felt the right thing to do."

Hip, leg and elbow injuries caused him to miss time this season. Ankle surgery, plus left knee, right shoulder and groin injuries were problems last year.

He is appearing in his 34th major tournament. He is ranked 32nd, but was seeded 28th at the Flushing Meadows, thanks to withdrawals by several top players, including past champions Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka.

"It's nice that some of them gave us a bit of a shot to make a run in this tournament," Anderson said.

He only once had been as far as the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam tournament until this week, losing at that stage in New York two years ago.

Before that, he had been 0-7 in fourth-rounders at majors.

The 6-foot-8 Anderson is a big server, but it was his success returning against the 12th-seeded Carreno Busta that was the key to this victory.

After failing to get a break point in the opening set, Anderson generated 14 the rest of the way - and converted four, which was enough for the biggest victory of his career.