Djokovic-Nadal Showdown Set for Monday’s Men’s U.S. Open Final
Rafael Nadal will face Novak Djokovic on Monday in the 2013 U.S. Open Men’s Finals match as both the number one and two seeds advanced to the championship match with wins on Saturday. At Arthur Ashe Stadium, it was Nadal who cruised past Richard Gasquet, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2, after Djokovic defeated the ninth-seed Stanislas Wawrinka 2-6, 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 for his 50th match win of the season.
With the win, Djokovic will remain at ranked number one in the Emirates ATP Men’s Singles Rankings next after reaching the US Open final for the fourth straight year and fifth time overall.
"At the end of the day, I managed to stay tough and play well when I needed to. That’s something that definitely encourages me before the final,” said Djokovic. “I just tried to hang on and fight and be mentally tough and believe all the way through I can actually win."
Djokovic had only lost one set in his five previous matches, to the number 21 seed, Mikhail Youzhny in the quarterfinals.
"To be honest, I’m not in support of a Monday final, but this is what it is," said Djokovic in his post-match press conference. "It’s better to have Monday final now when you have a Saturday semifinal than Sunday back‑to‑back five sets in two days like it was before. I mean, it’s just an ongoing subject with the U.S. Open and with people who are in organization here. Hopefully, in the next few years, we’re going to have to accept the Monday final, but after that, hopefully we can have the Friday/Sunday like in every other Grand Slam."
With his semifinals win, Nadal is through to his 37th meeting against Djokovic in what will be their third final in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Nadal advances to his 18th Grand Slam final, tying him with Pete Sampras for third-most in history, behind only Roger Federerand Ivan Lendl.
"It has been an amazing two weeks for me," Nadal said. "It will be a tough final for me, but I will try and be ready."
