I am not in good condition, says Juan Martin del Potro ahead of clash against Rafael Nadal
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Juan Martin del Potro will face Rafael Nadal in the semifinal of the US Open on Saturday, but ahead of the match, he revealed that he is not in good condition to take on the World No.1. The Argentine ended Roger Federer's journey at the US Open 2017 defeating him 7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 in the QF.
World Number 28, del Potro, won the grueling game 5-7 6-3 6-7 4-6 that lasted for three hours as he started the game on the front foot getting 84% of his first serves and winning all his service games (6/6), as Federer succumbed to 11 unforced errors. However, the long match on the hard court seemed to take a toll on the Rio Olympic silver medalist as he admitted that he is tired and not 100 % fit for his first Grand Slam semi-final appearance since 2013.
"Against Rafa, it will be a much harder match. I am not in good condition. But it's a semi-final so anything can happen. I have to be ready to face Rafa in my
"I will try to exploit the atmosphere and if I play my best I can be a danger to him."
Del Potro had become the first player to defeat both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the same major, in back-to-back matches no less, on his way to win the 2009 US Open. But a chronic wrist injury that he suffered almost ended his career, but he made an incredible comeback in 2016 to win a silver medal at the Olympics. Yesterday, he also made a right step towards winning his second Grand Slam by beating the 19-time Grand Slam winner and made a statement of his capability.
"I think I played my best match of the tournament. I did everything well, I served so
"I cannot believe to play another semi after all my injuries, all my surgeries. And especially to play here in New York. It's my
