Rafael Nadal is just one win away from a 16th Grand Slam title after he beat Juan Martin del Potro in their US Open semi-final on Friday.
The world No.1 dropped the first set to the Argentine but powered his way into the final with a 4-6 6-0 6-3 6-2 victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Nadal, who achieved the ultimate glory at Flushing Meadows in 2010 and 2013, will face 28th-seeded South African Kevin Anderson in Sunday’s decider.
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 has now won 15 straight matches in a Grand Slam semi-final since Del Potro beat him in 2009 in New York.
Taking full advantage of a depleted draw, Anderson became the lowest-ranked US Open finalist since the ATP’s computer rankings began in 1973.
The 31-year-old got to the title match by beating Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4.
Anderson was so excited that he celebrated his semi-final victory as if it made him the champion, stepping on a chair and then a flower box to help him climb into his guest box in the stands.
“I really don’t know what to say,” Anderson said.
“I don’t know if the team hug is appropriate but it felt like the right thing to do.”
The 6-foot-8-inch Anderson is a big server and pounded down 22 aces, but it was his success returning against the 12th-seeded Carreno Busta that was the key to this victory.
After failing to get a break point in the opening set, Anderson generated 14 the rest of the way and converted four, which was enough for the biggest win of his career.
“This is why we work so hard,” Anderson said.
“I think just my emotion at the end summed it up. I’m just over the moon.”