US Open: historic Federer-Nadal match at Flushing Meadows denied by del Potro

Tennis fans dreaming of seeing Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal play each other at the U.S. Open for the first time will need to keep doing just that, after Juan Martin del Potro knocked out Federer in the quarters. 

Five times Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal had been one match away from playing each other on Arthur Ashe, and now you can count six times. The highly anticipated semifinal between the two sports icons will have to wait another day. And as John McEnroe commented while covering the quarterfinal match Wednesday for ESPN, the reality is it may never happen. The U.S. Open continues to remain the elusive Grand Slam where the two rivals have never battled each other.

“It’s a little bit strange that Roger and me have never played here especially since we have met so many times in so many important tournaments all over the world,” said Nadal in a press conference. “It would be more special if it was in the final this year. We will just have to come back again and make it happen.”

Early Wednesday Rafa made short work of his drubbing of 19-year-old Andrey Rublev. Built up as a clash of generations, with an energetic and ruthless Rublev a possible threat to the Spanish pirate, it was anything but, with Nadal leaving the inexperienced Russian in the dust, dispensing the win in just 97 minutes, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.

Next up was Federer and Juan Martin del Potro, the Argentine who denied Federer a record sixth consecutive U.S. Open crown in 2009. And he denied him again, defeating him in a dramatic four sets, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(8), 6-4; putting plenty of Federer fans on edge right from the first set. But del Potro had plenty of his own fans and their enthusiasm for their Argentine hero took over the stadium, which seemed to rattle the Swiss perfectionist a bit.

Federer didn’t move as freely and confidently as he had in his third and fourth round matches, where he dominated. Perhaps his back was starting to bother him again. Maybe he had a flashback to the 2009 time he faced Delpo, a surprise loss in a match many felt he should have won. Whatever the reason, the 36-year-old looked tentative at times and made mishits that were out of character for the tennis legend, including a crucial unforced error to set up del Potro’s match point.

Federer acknowledged he was vulnerable going into this Slam, unlike his smooth runs at Wimbledon and the Australian Open.

“It was one of those matches where, if I ran into a good guy, I was going to lose, I felt. I don’t want to say I was in a negative mindset, but I knew going in that I’m not in a safe place,” Federer said in his press conference. He wasn’t 100 percent. “Rightfully so, I’m out of this tournament, because I wasn’t good enough — in my mind, in my body, and in my game … If you’re missing all three, it’s going to be tough.”

After del Potro was asked what he thought of defeating Federer on his “home court,” [Arthur Ashe] Delpo’s answer says a lot about why he won Wednesday.

“I think it’s my home court too,” the 24th seed answered with a smile. He then went on to thank the fans who helped steer him through the matches throughout the tournament, especially coming back from almost retiring in the fourth round with the flu.

“You make me feel happy every time I play here and I love your support.” He also took time from the on-court interview to put his hands up and take in all the adulation. He’ll need them again to go toe-to-toe against a formidable opponent like Nadal.

“I love to see you chanting for me and I know against Rafa the crowd will be tough for me but I hope you’re there cheering for me again.”

It’s hard not to root for the 28-year-old. A huge talent, whose body seemed to deny him the trophies many feel he should have won. Considered the best forehand in the game, it was on full display in the match against Federer. After so many surgeries, and the kind of heart and fight he’s demonstrated in several captivating matches, he makes you want to see him win, no matter who your favorite is. Well liked off the court as well, no one deserves another chance at a Grand Slam more than Juan Martin del Potro.

“Juan Martin fought like a lion,” said the 19-time grand slam champion, who thinks Delpo has a good chance of defeating Nadal in the semi.

“I feel I have no place in the semis and he will have a better chance to beat Rafa, to be honest,” acknowledged Federer in his presser.

With Fed going out, that means that Rafa will retain his hold on the top ATP ranking. With Muguruza also No. 1, both top spots belong to the same country, Spain. If Nadal makes it to the final, he has a chance at grand slam No. 16, which would put him within three titles from Federer and close the gap between the two even more.

Federer’s made great strides to widen that gap and stands at 19. Going home from New York means the quest for 20 begins anew next year. We can’t expect him to create perfection at every grand slam.

At the U.S. Open the physical toll caught up with him, with the Basel native admitting that “that little magic was missing” in his last match.

Still, the Swiss great has solidified his hold on the GOAT title this year, added two more Grand Slams to his legacy, including a record eighth Wimbledon, and two more Masters 1000 titles. He is also assured of moving up to No. 2 after the tournament. He did all this in a year when people were writing him off at the beginning. How upset can he be? His record for the year has been nothing short of phenomenal.

“I think my perspective at this age and with the season that I have had is easier to grasp faster. So I’ll be fine quickly,” reflected Federer. “It’s all a bonus at this stage … I’ve had a wonderful year. I can’t win them all.”

The men’s semifinals take place at Flushing Meadows on Friday.