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US Open 2019 LIVE Score, Rafael Nadal vs Matteo Berrettini, semi-finals tennis match: First set into tiebreak

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06:04 (IST)

06:04 (IST)

Berrettini* 6-6 Nadal

The Italian takes it to a tiebreak and what a treat he has been to watch. Supreme power and strength has made him a crowd favourite here. Nadal finds himself in unchartered territory. 

05:58 (IST)

Nadal* 6-5 Berrettini

Nadal holds to love here. He's technically more adept than the Italian and it's showing through. It remains to be seen how long the Italian can hold his service games. 

05:55 (IST)

Berrettini* 5-5 Nadal

When Nadal stretches the rallies, Berrettini can't keep up, inevitably erring on his backhand return. The Italian saves a set-point with another ace, inciting cheers from the crowd here which is enjoying this battle between strength and skill. 

Berrettini keeps playing the drop shot too, the change-up working well for him. He holds again. Nadal ought to be dismayed there. 

05:48 (IST)

Nadal* 5-4 Berrettini

Nadal is pumped up after getting through a tough service game and rightly so. The Italian is showing that he's not all brawn but can get the deft crosscourt winner to land in too for a winner. 

05:45 (IST)

Berrettini* 4-4 Nadal

The Italian's forehands carry him through even as Nadal threatens with the break. The crowd is wowed meanwhile with the raw power that the Italian is showing. 

05:39 (IST)

Just when you think you've got Rafa beat!

05:34 (IST)

Nadal* 4-3 Berrettini 

Nadal with forehand winners of his own. Yet again, the Spaniard pushes his opponent in a corner with the first serve, sends a forehand down the other open court. 

05:30 (IST)

Berrettini* 3-3 Nadal

Berrettini's second serve exposes his inadequacies vis-a-vis Nadal. He's frequently pushed into a corner and leaves the court open for a Nadal winner. 

The Italian still holds. A well-placed serve followed by a drop shot on the other side. Bludgeons the ball without much fuss, not so much a grunt, routine forehands for him which draw the error from Nadal. He draws level. 

05:25 (IST)

Nadal* 3-2 Berrettini

Easy breezy hold for Nadal and he continues to have his nose in front. 

05:22 (IST)

Berrettini* 2-2 Nadal

Berrettini fails to get his backhand returns to stick and maybe the heavy topspin on Nadal's returns has something to do with it. These are contrasting playing styles. Nadal plays his forehands with the heavy bottom hand lacing them with topspin while Berrettini plays them flatter which sees them zip across the surface. 

When Nadal sends a high-arc forehand, Berrettini hops and skims the ball, a booming sound echoing. No chance for Nadal. He holds again and the set advances on serve. 
 

05:17 (IST)

Nadal* 2-1 Berrettini

A comfortable hold for Nadal. His serves may not be as booming as Berrettini but there's pinpoint accuracy, down the 'T' which draws the errors from the Italian routinely. A tame return of serve is to be expected and Nadal moves forward and swats the ball. 

05:13 (IST)

Berrettini* 1-1 Nadal

Berrettini gets off to a sluggish start on his serve before racking up the aces and the one-two combos. Nadal though isn't letting up. He needs only that return of serve to land in and thereon, he stands a better chance of winning the point. 

Berrettini holds on though, a tough hold of serve for him but he gets the game with a deceptive drop shot. Thundering forehands and big serves aren't all that his game is about. 

05:04 (IST)

Nadal* 1-0 Berrettini

A two-shot combo followed by an ace from Nadal to start off proceedings. Berrettini gets a return in and hits his forehands flat and fast, down both sides of the court for his solitary point of the game as Nadal bundles it up soon. An easy hold for him over the 24th seeded Italian. 

05:03 (IST)

Highlight of the day thus far

05:01 (IST)

Matteo Berrettini aims to become the first Italian in over 40 years to contest a Grand Slam final. In his path lies Rafael Nadal who'll start off proceedings at Arthur Ashe. 

04:55 (IST)

Rafael Nadal and Matteo Berrettini are on the court for the pre-match warm-ups. 

04:53 (IST)

Before the match, Rafael Nadal says that the crowd at Flushing Meadows has been very appreciative over the years for him. On playing against Berrettini, he says the big serve will be a challenge, lauds the Italian as a 'quality' player. 

04:35 (IST)

Stat check:

Daniil Medvedev now has won the most number of matches on ATP tour in 2019: 50 (Nadal 45, Federer 43, Djokoic 41)

Medvedev becomes the youngest US Open men's singles finalist since Novak Djokovic, who was 23 in 2010

Medvedev has been the finalist in Washington, Canada, Cincinnati and now US Open. Only players earlier to have such success on the hard court in same year? Lendl (1982) and Agassi (1995). [Both Lendl and Agassi lost the US Open final though]

04:32 (IST)

First Russian US Open finallist in 19 years!

04:32 (IST)

Medvedev in on-court chat

First major final: "It doesn't sound bad! The first set was much closer to him but the momentum changed. I am happy to be in the final. Just my second three setter in the last two weeks."

Surprised? "When I was coming to the US, I didn't know it was going to be this good. I love USA!"

Journey to the final? "Crazy! If someone would have told me how the rounds would go with cramps, my stupidity in the next rounds. I would have gone back home! But here I am giving interviews to you guys!"

"I really like to read about myself to see how I can be better on and off the court. But to be ready for the final, maybe I need to stop doing that!"

On the final? "Popcorn in front of the TV! I will be watching just like the rest of you!"

04:28 (IST)

Medvedev is through to the final

Daniil Medvedev is through to the US Open final. What a journey on the hard court it has been for him since Wimbledon. He gets past Grigor Dimitrov 7-6, 6-4, 6-3 in two hours and 38 minutes. Not the easiest of matches for Daniil but doing the right things on key points. 

04:27 (IST)

Medvedev* 7-6, 6-4, 6-3 Dimitrov

Medvedev serving for a place in the final. Dimitrov making Medvedev play one shot after another before Daniil moves up to flick a backhand and Grigor can do nothing about it. He has plenty to do on the second point though. A huge forehand winner and it kisses the line on its way. Big serve after another and neither come back to stay on the court. Two match points and third overall. Another big serve, angled wide and Dimitrov is unable to return. Medvedev wins 7-6, 6-4, 6-3.

04:24 (IST)

Medvedev 7-6, 6-4, 5-3 *Dimitrov

Dimitrov serving to stay in the match. Starts off with a tame first serve and then a 42nd unforced error. Medvedev with a helpful mistake of his to make it 15-15. A much better point from Dimitrov now. He finds his depth and keeps the balls deep before pulling out a thundering forehand winner. Followed by a forehand error! Been that kind of a match. Dimitrov with an errant forehand that goes well long and Medvedev has match point. Not just yet. Medvedev sends his backhand long and Grigor stays alive. Deuce. Another forehand missed and another match point opportunity for Medvedev. Good serve and Medvedev's return hits the frame to land wide. Lovely volley from Dimitrov - not once but twice to bring up game point. Medvedev sends his forehand long now and Dimitrov survives. For now. 

04:15 (IST)

Medvedev* 7-6, 6-4, 5-2 Dimitrov

Medvedev moves one game closer to the final. At 40-15, Medvedev with an angled shot and Dimitrov half believed it was out so he took it easily to put off Medvedev who got to the ball back but not with the conviction needed. No harm done as he gets the job done in the next game. Dimitrov with an error to help close the game off.

04:11 (IST)

Medvedev 7-6, 6-4, 4-2 *Dimitrov

Dimitrov holds to 15 and he is not going to go away without a fight. 

04:07 (IST)

Medvedev* 7-6, 6-4, 4-1 Dimitrov

Medvedev holds at 15 to hold serve. No sign of nerves with the victory line approaching. Hitting the serves well and the shots thereafter. 

04:05 (IST)

Medvedev 7-6, 6-4, 3-1 *Dimitrov

A double fault and Daniil has the chance to break. 15-40. Big hitting from the back from both but Dimitrov goes long on his forehand. BREAK! Is that the match?

04:01 (IST)

Medvedev* 7-6, 6-4, 2-1 Dimitrov

Dimitrov has a look in with the game at 30-30. Medvedev looks to be down and out in the rally but in typical Daniil fashion he keeps fighting and getting the ball back. Plays a lovely lob and Dimitrov backtracks to play a tweener and it goes wide. Eventually holds serve to keep third set on serve. 

03:58 (IST)

Medvedev 7-6, 6-4, 1-1 *Dimitrov

Comfortable holds for both players to get the third set underway. No fuss at all. Dimitrov holding serve with a huge smash at the net while being in the air. Monfils-esque? Maybe not. 

03:57 (IST)

Lovely hands from Dimitrov

03:56 (IST)

He goes two sets to the good. One set away from the final. 

03:54 (IST)

Stat alert 

Grigor Dimitrov is 0-18 when trailing two sets to love in his career. Welp!

03:51 (IST)

Second set Medvedev

Dimitrov's serve came under siege late in the second set. He survived once but not the next time. Played a couple of loose points with sense of getting tired and Medvedev makes it count. Russian now two sets ahead 7-6, 6-4. 

03:50 (IST)

Medvedev 7-6, 6-4 *Dimitrov

Yet another couple of points where Dimitrov and Daniil have played exceptionally producing a perfect highlight reel for later. In one such rally, both players with some crunching shots before Dimitrov picked up neat volleys before closing the point out with a smash. On the next point, Medvedev with some aggressive shot making to force Dimitrov into a corner and a mistake. On game point, Dimitrov goes for a drop shot which appeared more out of being tired than tactic. Dimitrov with a forehand angle to get Medvedev out of the court but then he plays a backhand slice into the middle of the court to move up but there is nothing in it to bother Medvedev who sends a backhand winner back. Set point for Medvedev and Dimitrov nets his backhand. 

03:39 (IST)

Medvedev* 7-6, 5-4 Dimitrov

HOW DID DIMITROV DO THAT? The ball appears to have beaten Dimitrov but he somehow, just somehow, flicks his wrist on the backhand to get the ball past Medvedev at the net. Next point is a marathon 39 shot rally. Both players just happy to get the ball back and hoping the other makes the mistake. Eventually, it is Dimitrov who can't keep it going and sends his shot long. At 30-30, Medvedev gets out of the cage with a big ace. Dimitrov forces deuce before slicing into the net to give Daniil another chance at holding serve. Lovely drop shot from Dimitrov, Daniil gets it back but Dimitrov gets down low enough to flick it over for a lob winner. Dimitrov goes for the backhand drop after a meaty exchange from the back. Medvedev picks it up and a quick-fire volley exchange goes Daniil's way. Dimitrov not going away and this game is now headed to the eight minute mark. INCREDIBLE! What a pick up from Dimitrov on the half volley. Medvedev has to be careful to get the ball back and not touch the net. He gets it back but little on it to bother Dimitrov who sends a backhand winner. Another poor shot from Dimitrov presents Daniil with a chance to hold. He does just that with an ace. How important was that game? 

03:29 (IST)

Medvedev 7-6, 4-4 *Dimitrov

WHAT A RALLY! 33 shot rally with Medvedev making one defensive forehand slice after another. Dimitrov playing the patient game in going after the forehand wide on the deuce side before changing position and going on the other side for a forehand winner. Another long rally and this time Medvedev sends his forehand just wide. Dimitrov holds. 

03:25 (IST)

Medvedev* 7-6, 4-3 Dimitrov

Dimitrov sends his forehand wide and Medevedev holds with fair amount of ease. Second set on serve. 

03:22 (IST)

Medvedev 7-6, 3-3 *Dimitrov

Finally some good serving and decent job on the groundstrokes by the serve to hold serve. Dimitrov holds with a running forehand down the line winner. Still not the most comfotable game but getting the job done.

03:19 (IST)

Well this is awkward....

03:16 (IST)

Medvedev* 7-6, 3-2 Dimitrov

Dimitrov gets the help of the net to bring Medvedev forward. Scrambles to get the ball back and he does but Dimitrov moves up to kill the volley off. Three break points for Dimitrov. Medvedev saves both with Dimitrov making a mistake. Make that three in a row with Dimitrov hitting his shot into the net. A double fault and Dimitrov has a fourth break point. Sliced backhand from Dimitrov and Daniil sends another short ball back. This time Dimitrov gets on top of it very well to whip a forehand winner. BREAK BACK!

03:12 (IST)

Medvedev 7-6, 3-1 *Dimitrov

Yet another game with shots all over by Dimitrov. Making lovely shots at start and then making poor mistakes. A missed backhand on deuce and Medvedev has break point. The Russian now with a missed forehand and the chance goes begging. For now. Another forehand misses by Dimitrov. Has the short ball to go after thanks to the sliced backhand but missed. Second break point for Medvedev and this one is converted. With Dimitrov at the net, Medvedev sends a backhand winner past the Bulgarian. BREAK!

03:04 (IST)

Medvedev* 7-6, 2-1 Dimitrov

Bit of an up and down second set thus far. After a gorgeously struck forehand winner on the Medvedev serve on the deuce court, Dimitrov misses a simple shot on the next and Medvedev holds.

03:01 (IST)

Medvedev 7-6, 1-1 *Dimitrov

It is Dimitrov's turn to gift couple of points and the break. Medvedev with little to do in that game, just getting the ball back, and Dimitrov doing all needed for Daniil to win that game. Dimirov nets a backhand on 0-40. BREAK BACK! 

02:58 (IST)

Medvedev* 7-6, 0-1 Dimitrov

Medvedev with errors galore in the opening gane of the second set. Misses a volley and then a backhand to hand Dimitrov the break. Daniil with a sarcastic thumbs up to his box after missin the last two shots. BREAK!

02:54 (IST)

Advantage Medvedev. 

02:52 (IST)

Medvedev wins first set 7-6

Daniil Medvedev wins the opening set 7-6 (5) having saved one set point in the 12th game. The Russian led 2-0 at the start before Dimitrov got back with consistent play on both sides. Incredible how Medvedev took that first set considering five double faults, 40% first serves in and 45% second serve points won.

02:50 (IST)

First set tiebreak

Fifth double fault of the set for Medvedev and it back on serve in the tiebreak. Dimitrov with a double fault now! The duo handing each other gifts now. Medvedev misses a backhand now and it is 5-5 in the tiebreak. Yet another foot fault from Medvedev. Dimitrov had the short ball to go after but he yanks it into the net. Been a pretty poor tiebreak from both. Set point for Medvedev. Dimitrov looks confused how to approach the Medvedev backhand and ends up ruining the space he has to send forehand long. First set goes Medvedev's way. 

02:45 (IST)

First set tiebreak

Dimitrov starts off very well in the tiebreak to get a deft volley over the net and get the first mini-break of the tiebreak. At 2-1, Medvedev gets a ball back and Dimitrov picks up the half volley but it lands wide. Dimitrov challenges and it is confirmed to be wide. No more challenges remaining for him. Medvedev gets the minibreak after forcing Dimitrov into a running forehand error. 128 mph serve from Medvedev and Dimitrov sends the return long. Medvedev leads 4-2 at change of ends. 

02:41 (IST)

Medvedev* 6-6 Dimitrov

Medvedev gets into the act of making some incredible shots. He returns a laboured backhand and is then prolonged in the point. Looks to be out of it but somehow finds a slice squash forehand to get the ball in. Dimitrov reckons it is out but is very, very close but in. Dimitrov then has a forehand adjudged wide. But he's out of challenges. Medvedev hands three straight gifts - double fault, backhand error after the other. Set point for Dimitrov. And Medvedev saves it. Dimitrov with a simple backhand slice backhand and Medvedev goes into the attack with a forehand on to Dimitrov's left to force an error. Dimitrov keeping the pressue on the Medvedev serve with a forehand drive volley. A second foot fault call in the game and Medvedev still serves a 106 mph second serve to bring up game point. Decent defensive work from Medvedev and Dimitrov's forehand hits the top of the net to land wide. Medvedev holds having saved a set point.

 

New York: Medvedev has ridden a hot streak into the other semi-final, where he unexpectedly finds himself up against an opponent few expected to go deep into the championship.

Medvedev has a 19-2 record since Wimbledon, racking up three straight appearances in finals, losing in Washington and Montreal before claiming the Cincinnati title.

The Russian fifth seed has continued his winning run at the US Open, though his path has not been without obstacles and been taken to four sets in each of his past four matches.

His run at Flushing Meadows is the deepest he has gone in a Grand Slam but in the semi-finals faces a resurgent Dimitrov who is brimming with confidence after beating Federer in a five-set quarter-final.

The Bulgarian, who has slipped down the rankings to 78th from a high of third, arrived in New York having been eliminated in the first round in five of his six previous tournaments but now stands on the brink of his first Grand Slam final.

Rafael Nadal vs Matteo Berrettini

Only Matteo Berrettini stands between Rafa Nadal and a fifth final at Flushing Meadows where the stage has been all but cleared for the Spaniard to claim a 19th grand slam title.

The draw always looked kind to second seed Nadal, who was guaranteed of avoiding fellow greats Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer until the final.

But with those two swept away on the other side of the draw, Nadal instead will meet either Daniil Medvedev or Grigor Dimitrov if he gets to Sunday’s final.

First, the Spaniard must get past 23-year-old Italian Berrettini in what will be the pair’s first encounter.

Big serving Berrettini is having a breakout year, with two titles under his belt, one on grass and one on clay, and is now on the brink of becoming the first Italian male grand slam finalist in more than 40 years.

While a well-rested Nadal has breezed through to the final four, dropping only one set and even enjoying a walkover in the second round, Berrettini has shed sweat and tears to claw his way this far.

Taken to four sets in each of his first three matches by unseeded opponents, he was later stretched to the limit by Gael Monfils in a quarter-final thriller on Wednesday that went to a final-set tiebreak.

How well Berrettini, in his eighth grand slam, recovers from that four-hour marathon could be crucial.

With inputs from Reuters

 



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