Injured Nadal out of US Open

Rafael Nadal (right) was forced to stop the match against Juan Martin del Potro in the second set...
Rafael Nadal (right) was forced to stop the match against Juan Martin del Potro in the second set. Photo: Getty Images
A weary and wounded Rafael Nadal has retired from his US Open semi-final while trailing Juan Martin del Potro, sending the Argentine back to the Flushing Meadows final for the first time since his 2009 triumph.

Nadal, the world No 1 who had never before retired from a US Open match, showed signs of distress almost from the start on Friday as he limped noticeably after a gruelling 69-minute opening set.

He called for the trainer during the changeover on serve at 2-1 in the second.

The defending champion had his knee massaged and re-taped and bravely continued through the second set before telling the umpire he was unable to continue at 7-6(3) 6-2.

“It’s not the best way to win a match," said Del Potro. "I love to play against Rafa because he’s the biggest fighter in this sport.

"I’m sad for him."

Nadal's stamina and famous fitness have been put to the test on the sweltering hardcourts in New York as he has logged nearly 16 hours through five matches.

The Spaniard was made to work for his place in the last four, needing a fifth set tiebreak to see off Dominic Thiem in the quarters.

It was the second time this year that the world number one has retired from a slam as he also quit during his quarter-final against Marin Cilic at the Australian Open in January. 

DJOKOVIC DOMINANT

Kei Nishikori was run ragged by Novak Djokovic in their US Open semi-final on Friday and conceded he had been overwhelmed by the Serb's aggression and energy.

Djokovic needed just two hours and 23 minutes to record a 6-3 6-4 6-2 victory at Flushing Meadows as the Japanese player came off second best in every department.

"He was playing aggressive. Yeah, I didn't have (much) energy to stay with him. He was hitting side to side," Nishikori told reporters. "Wasn't easy to stay with him tonight."

Nishikori, beloved in his home country and among the world's highest paid tennis players thanks to a bevy of endorsement deals, entered the match with the odds stacked against him, trailing his Serbian competitor 2-14 in their previous meetings.

Djokovic, who won Wimbledon in July, forced his opponent into 36 errors and kept him on the run throughout the match.

"I think I was just tired from last couple matches. I was (trying) to give 100 percent, but he was playing very solid," Nishikori said. "Maybe if he wasn't Novak, I might have (a) chance to play little better.

"He's playing better everything. He's staying more solid and not giving me many free points," said Nishikori, who reached the final at Flushing Meadows in 2014.

Add a Comment