Rafa sets up final showdown with Djokovic

Rafael Nadal reached the final of the US Open 2013 beating Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-4, 7-6(7-1), 6-2 in straight sets after world no. 1 Novak Djokovic, who overcame the tough challenge of Murray-slayer Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka 2-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first of the two semifinals. While it was a routine victory for the second-seeded Spaniard, things were not easy for the top seed as the ninth-seed Wawrinka maintained his brilliant form in the tournament.

The packed crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium got their money’s worth when they witnessed last year finalist Novak Djokovic being pushed to the fifth set by a determined Wawrinka. Wawrinka carried on from where he left against Murray as he bagged the first set 6-2 breaking Djokovic for couple of times. Djokovic made a quick comeback grabbing the second set in the tie-break with the balance of the match shifting from one side to the other frequently. With the match well poised at 2-2(2-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3) and 4-4 in the decider, Djokovic played some extra-ordinary tennis breaking the Swiss very late to serve out the match after a long battle. In the end it was the experience of playing in a big-match that enabled Djokovic to have the last laugh over Wawrinka.

However the second semifinal between Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet was completely a contrast to what the spectators witnessed few hours earlier. The match began on even terms as Gasquet maintained his good form in this tournament against Nadal who was yet to lose a game on his own serve. Gasquet, one break down, did break him up towards the end of the second set but was completely out-played in the  tie-break as he managed only a single point in the game. He could never recover from that game onwards as Nadal brought out his best to put the result beyond any doubt. As he advanced to the final he maintained his superb run as he is yet to lose a match on hard-courts this year.

An intriguing encounter between Djokovic and Nadal is on the cards as they the two top seeds gear up for the final showdown in the season’s last Grand Slam. All eyes will be on the Arthur Ashe Stadium as two of the best players in the modern era will be coming out of the locker room for one more time in 2013 US Open. Who will reign supreme? Well, time will tell us.

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About Argha Ghosh

An ardent follower of sports and die-hard Manchester United fan, Argha's ultimate dream is to watch a Manchester derby from the Stretford End at the Old Trafford.