Rafael Nadal vs Juan Martin del Potro might feel as if it’s a Grand Slam semi-final worthy of a final. Each has won the US Open already — Nadal in 2010 and 2013; del Potro in 2009, when he beat Nadal in the semi-finals, then Roger Federer in the final. That, though, was the big-hitting Argentine’s only major championship. Nadal, meanwhile, ranks second in men’s tennis history with 15 Grand Slam trophies. Nadal leads their head-to-head series 8-5, but del Potro won their most recent matchup, on a hard court at the Rio Olympics last year. The other semi-final involves two newcomers: 12th-seeded Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain vs 28th-seeded Kevin Anderson of South Africa. Neither has played in a major semi, let alone a title match. Carreno Busta has not lost a set in the tournament so far, while Anderson boasts a dangerous serve and has only been broken three times in 87 service games. Anderson booked his place in the last four by beating the last American Sam Querrey, while Busta had the easiest path to the last-four without facing a player ranked inside the top-25. Carreno Busta, who has three career singles titles, including one in Estoril this year, is gunning for his maiden Grand Slam. The big-serving Anderson became the first South African man or woman to reach the semi-finals at the US Open in the Open Era with his gritty win over Sam Querrey. Arguably playing the best tennis of his career, Anderson has fired 92 aces in the tournament so far. Here’s the schedule for Day 12 at the US Open: Arthur Ashe Stadium (12 noon local or 9.30 pm IST) Men’s doubles final Jean-Julien Rojer/Horia Tecau (NED/ROM x12) v Feliciano Lopez/Marc Lopez (ESP/ESP x11) Not before 4 pm local or 1.20 am IST Men’s singles semi-finals Kevin Anderson (RSA x28) v Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP x12) Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) v Juan Martin del Potro (ARG x24)
Highlights US Open 2017, men's semi-finals: Rafael Nadal defeats Juan Martin del Potro, Kevin Anderson ousts Pablo Carreno Busta
Kevin Anderson, Pablo Carreno Busta, Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin del Potro will be in action in the US Open men’s semi-finals. Follow our live blog for scores and updates.
 "Highlights US Open 2017, men's semi-finals: Rafael Nadal defeats Juan Martin del Potro, Kevin Anderson ousts Pablo Carreno Busta")
And that’s a wrap for Day 12! We are down to the last two matches of the final Grand Slam of the year.
Thank you for following along today. Make sure you tune in again tomorrow for the women’s final.
It’s Madison Keys vs Sloane Stephens for the title. The match is scheduled to start at 1.30 am IST.
See you later tonight!
Before we sign off, here’s our image of the day!
Here are all the singles results from Day 12 of the US Open:
Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) bt Juan Martín Del Potro (ARG x24) 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2
Kevin Anderson (RSA x28) bt Pablo Carreño-Busta (ESP x12) 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4
Nadal has a 4-0 head-to-head record against Anderson and will be the heavy favourite to win the title.
But after the unpredicatble year of tennis we’ve had, don’t write off Anderson just yet!
The US Open Final is set!
— ESPN (@espn) September 9, 2017
This will be the 23rd major final Nadal has played in. It will be Anderson’s first. pic.twitter.com/Nm9TXpMSuE
Rafael Nadal will play for his 16th Grand Slam title after beating Juan Martin del Potro 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2.
The two-time US Open champion will face 28th-seeded Kevin Anderson of South Africa on Sunday.
It was Nadal’s 15th straight victory in a Grand Slam semi-final since del Potro beat him in 2009 at Flushing Meadows.
The Spaniard is in his third Major final of the year. He also won the French Open in June and will have a huge edge in experience against Anderson, a first-time Grand Slam finalist.
#Nadal trying to win multiple #GrandSlam titles in a season for 4th time in career:
— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) September 9, 2017
2010 (3)
2013 (2)
2008 (2)#USOpen
Check out the final stats: 45 winners, only 20 unforced errors and 21/27 at the net for Nadal.
Stat!
Third season with THREE Grand Slam finals for Nadal – 2010, 2011 and 2017. Impressive after his injuries and struggles.
🇪🇸🎾💯❗❗❗@RafaelNadal defeats Del Potro 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 and returns to the #USOpen final for the first time since 2013! pic.twitter.com/OWNC4qsUze
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2017
Rafael Nadal wins his FIFTEENTH straight Grand Slam semi-final. His overall record is 23-2 in the last-four of a Major.
He will aim for his 16th Grand Slam title on Sunday!
Rafael Nadal is through to his 4th US Open final with a 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Juan Martin del Potro.
Faces 28th seed Kevin Anderson next.
Del Potro gets a consolation service hold to make it 2-5 but he’s only delaying the inevitable.
He has looked a shadow of his self that played the first set. But full credit to Nadal for playing such a ruthless brand of tennis.
Nadal jumps ahead to 5-1, and is a game away from his 23rd Grand Slam semi-final win.
The top seed holds to 15 with an overhead winner.
Del Potro gets broken again, and now trails 1-4 in the 4th set.
Del Potro falls behind 0-40 and it looks like it’s curtains for the Argentine – his first three points included an unforced error off the backhand, a double fault and a forehand sent flying long.
He saves the first break point with a forehand winner, but another mishit forehand sails over the baseline to give Nadal a 4-1 lead.
Nadal consolidates with a love-hold. 3-1.
It’s raining service winners from the Spaniard’s racquet. He can do no wrong at the moment and has this semi-final in a strong grip.
Nadal breaks for a 2-1 lead.
Del Potro commits two expensive forehand errors at 15-15 and it’s two break points for Nadal.
Nadal only needs one as he hits yet another forehand winner to secure an early break in this semi-final. Edging closer to Sunday’s final with every game.
Del Potro’s movement and footwork is completely off in the last few games and he looks spent. This might be over soon.
Del Potro and Nadal start with easy service holds. Del Potro showing some flashes of his brilliance. 1-1.
Del Potro is trying to hang in...with forehands like this one.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/XMhLpIneyd
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2017
Stats from the third set! Nadal too dominant.
At the changeover:
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2017
Nadal is now set away from the final...
Delpo trying to get himself back in this match...#USOpen pic.twitter.com/en4Oh7rgZJ
Rafael Nadal wraps up the third set 6-3 in 43 minutes and takes a 2-1 lead over Juan Martin del Potro.
He’s one set away from his 4th US Open final.
Nadal holds to win the 3rd set 6-3.
Nadal serving for the 3rd set at 5-3 and on the first point, Del Potro comes up with a fabulous forehand down the line winner. 0-15.
Nadal chooses to successfully serve-and-volley next! Nice change by the Spaniard. 15-15.
An unforced error from Del Potro as he nets a forehand return makes it 30-15. An unforced error from Nadal as he hits a forehand well wide makes it 30-30.
Del Potro can’t get his backhand over the net and it’s SET POINT #3 for Nadal.
Nadal holds after he puts away a short at the net with an overhead smash.
Del Potro saves two set points and escapes with a service hold. 3-5.
Del Potro double faults on the next point and it’s 15-15.
Two forehand winners down the line and it’s TWO SET POINTS for the Spaniard. 15-40.
Del Potro saves one with a forehand winner of his own!
He saves the next one as well with a crushing forehand that Nadal can’t retrieve. Deuce.
Ace down the tee and it’s advantage, Del Potro.
Del Potro flashes a forehand wide and we are back at deuce.
Nadal does all the hard work on the next point and sets up a rally but then fluffs an easy dropshot at the net.
On game point, a Nadal error gives Del Potro the hold. Nadal will now serve for a 2-1 lead in this match.
Clinical game from Nadal and he moves within a game of taking the 3rd set. He leads 5-2.
#DelPotro is trying to mount a comeback, but #Nadal is giving him nothing as he moves to within one game of the third set #USOpen pic.twitter.com/ArmpnetpII
— Live Tennis (@livetennis) September 9, 2017
A love-hold for Del Potro! He makes it 2-4.
The Argentinian’s fans finally have something to cheer for and you can hear the famous ‘Olé, Olé, Olé’ chants ring out in the stadium.
De Potro will need the croed on his side to try and fight his way back in this match.
Nadal holds to 30 for 4-1.
Small window of opportunity for Del Potro as he gets to 30-30 on Nadal’s serve. Uncharacteristic double fault from the Spaniard.
But that is quickly snuffed out by Nadal as produces two service winners and escapes with a hold.
Del Potro saves a break point and gets on the board in the 3rd set! 1-3.
Very important service hold for the Argentine as he avoids falling too far behind in this set. After saving two break points, Del Potro gets to game point courtesy a Nadal forehand winner. Del Potro then drills a 121mph service winner to make it 1-3.
Nadal consolidates with a love-hold!
It’s now NINE straight games for the Spaniard as he jumps to a 3-0 lead in the 3rd set.
Del Potro broken again!
It’s all going awfully wrong for the Argentine as he has completely lost the form that won him the opening set.
Nadal has turned up his level by two notches and is painting the lines with winners off both wings.
Del Potro in big, big trouble.
Nadal starts the 3rd set with a hold at 15.
On game point, Nadal fores a 92mph second-serve service winner.
It’s seven straight games to the Spaniard.
Del Potro needs to despeartely stop the bleeding.
.@RafaelNadal sweeps through the 2nd set in scintillating style and takes it 6-0!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/j5uTrc8dey
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2017
Second-set winners: Nadal 13, Del Potro 2
Rafael Nadal evens the semi-final against Juan Martin del Potro by winning the second set 6-0 in 27 minutes.
Fantastci response from the top seed after dropping the opening set.
Nadal bagels Del Potro!
Nadal hits a sweet drop shot and Del Potro doesn’t even bother chasing it. 15-30.
Nadal fires a service return winner to bring up TWO SET POINTS!
Del Potro saves one with an ace down the tee, that was bang on line as Hawk-Eye shows (Nadal got this challenge wrong).
Nadal nets his service return and we are at deuce in this game.
Nadal produces a powerful inside-out forehand winner and it’s SET POINT once again.
Nadal returns deep and catches Del Potro off-balance and he has the second set in the bag. 6-0.
21 minutes into the second set and Nadal has raced away to a 5-0 lead.
Del Potro looks like he’s in energy conservation mode.
An easy hold for Nadal after he hits an overhand smash winner.
Del Potro will now serve to stay in the second set after the changeover.
Nadal breaks once again for 4-0.
Nadal drills a forehand winner down the line once again and gets to 15-30 on Delpo’s serve.
Nadal sets up TWO BREAK POINTS after Del Potro hits an error on the baseline. The Spaniard has now won 15 of the last 19 points.
Another forehand error from Del Potro and Nadal secures a double-break in the second set!
What a turnaround this has been. Momentum now firmly in Nadal’s favour.
3-0 #Nadal finally attacking the DelPo FH. Making him respect the whole court. Massive difference against a tall, powerful opponent. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/G6B9tm12L6
— Craig O'Shannessy 🇺🇦 (@BrainGameTennis) September 9, 2017
Nadal consolidates with a love-hold! 3-0.
Nadal is making multiple forehands down the line and he’s jumped out to a 3-0 lead in set two. Quite a strong reply after dropping the opener.
Nadal breaks for 2-0.
First break point of the match for Nadal and he converts!
He strikes early on as Del Potro fires a forehand long. Credit to Nadal for making Del Potro hit an extra shot on every point.
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