Rafael Nadal Moves Into U.S. Open Semifinals, Now Two Wins From Major No. 19

[Mr. Babatunde]

Rafael Nadal perspired so much during his quarterfinal match with Diego Schwartzman, that it looked like he had jumped into a swimming pool with his tennis kit on, forbes report.

On a hot and humid night in New York City, Nadal eventually wore Schwartzman down and prevailed, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2, to advance to the semifinals of the U.S. Open. Nadal is now standing two wins from his 19th Grand Slam career title, which would put him one shy of the all-time 20 mark of Roger Federer.

"Today was a very heavy day, big humiidity out here and I am this kind of player that I sweat a little bit," Nadal said on court. "So sometimes under these conditions, is tough."

The betting favorite to win the title, Nadal will next meet 23-year-old Italian sensation Matteo Berrettini in Friday's semifinals. In a match that lasted nearly four hours, Berrettini prevailed in an epic five-setter over Frenchman Gael Monfils earlier Wednesday.

No. 5 Daniil Medvedev will face Grigor Dimitrov in the other semifinal on Friday. The championship is Sunday and the winner will take home $3.85 million.

While Nadal has 18 Grand Slam titles, the other three remaining semifinalists have a combined zero.


Grand Slam titles for the 4 US Open semifinalists:

Rafa Nadal - 18

The other 3 - 0

(Photo via AFP) pic.twitter.com/SN5cfINqhp

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) September 5, 2019

"Who in this tour doesn't know Rafa?" Berrettini said after his victory. "It's going to be tough, for sure, against him."