US Open 2018: Three talking points from Day 9

#3 Third US Open semi-final for Del Potro

Del Potro continues to find success at the only Slam he has won so far

2009 champion and World No. 3 Juan Martin Del Potro faced an inspired John Isner, a pro-American crowd and sweltering conditions but they were not strong enough to unsettle the Argentine. Del Potro emerged a 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-2 winner at the end of the 3-hours-31-minutes match that also saw the two men get a 10-minute reprieve from the heat after the third set.

The heat and humidity has been a problem for most of the players in New York for the past week. On Day 9, Del Potro showed that he was better prepared physically and mentally to tackle the conditions while the lanky Isner kept doubling over to catch breath.

Heat played a big role in the outcome of this match as Del Potro returned from the heat break, looking rejuvenated and far more motivated. It got reflected in his game when he grabbed a couple of breaks in the fourth set to seal the win.

One stat that was noteworthy was that the Argentine was never broken in this match, further establishing how smartly he served.

The reward that Del Potro got for the victory was a semi-final showdown with none other than Nadal. The two have been having frequent meetings at the Majors for the past one year, having locked horns thrice in the past four Slams.

A year after losing to Nadal in four sets in the semi-finals and also after stretching the Spaniard to five gruelling sets at Wimbledon quarter-finals this year, can Del Potro finally crack the Nadal code?