2019 US Open – Matteo Berrettini vs Rafael Nadal Preview & Prediction

THE FACTS

When is Matteo Berrettini vs Rafael Nadal on and what time does it start? Friday 6th September, 2019 – not before 1:15 (UK)

Where is Matteo Berrettini vs Rafael Nadal taking place? Flushing Meadows, New York

What is the expected weather for Matteo Berrettini vs Rafael Nadal? Cloudy, 20c

What channel is Matteo Berrettini vs Rafael Nadal on? The US Open will not be televised live in the UK

Where can I stream Matteo Berrettini vs Rafael Nadal? Amazon Prime have the rights to the US Open in the UK so it is worth checking their schedule for streaming times

Where can I get tickets for Matteo Berrettini vs Rafael Nadal? https://www.usopen.org/en_US/tickets/ticket_plans.html

THE LOWDOWN

HEAD-TO-HEAD
Last meeting: N/A

MATTEO BERRETTINI

• 23-year-old Matteo Berrettini is through to his first Grand Slam semi-final following an absolute blockbuster five-set match with 13th seed Gael Monfils on Arthur Ashe.
• Berrettini went behind in a match for the first time this US Open campaign but this was one of four matches in which he has conceded a set.
• Berrettini’s 2019 season has been building up nicely to this point after two ATP title wins and a round of 16 loss to Roger Federer at Wimbledon, but nobody would have expected to see him here in the semi-final, where he meets Rafael Nadal for the first time.

RAFAEL NADAL

• Rafael Nadal exhibited the gulf in class between himself and his gutsy, but also slightly fatigued, quarter-final opponent Diego Schwartzman to win in straight sets.
• The three-time US Open champion has lost three semi-finals before now, two to Juan Martin del Potro (including last year’s retirement through injury) and once to Andy Murray in 2008.
• Much is being made of Nadal’s efforts to speed up his matches in order to win faster and therefore conserve energy, but Matteo Berrettini would not be the first Italian this year to upset this rhythm after Fabio Fognini beat him in the Monte-Carlo semi-finals and again took the first set from the Spaniard in their Rogers Cup quarter-final last month.

THE PREDICTION

Rafael Nadal will know he will not get a better opportunity to win another US Open with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer out and even the likes of common foes Juan Martin del Potro or Andy Murray around to challenge him, but he must not look past Matteo Berrettini to the final. The Italian has shown grit throughout this US Open campaign and has been part of four matches that have gone to at least four sets, including his epic fightback against Gael Monfils on Wednesday night. Berrettini must look to compatriot Fabio Fognini for inspiration; out-doing Rafa’s early intensity with your own is key, and if the Italian wins the first set, anything could happen.

This is less nailed on than many might think but a few factors should fall in Nadal’s favour, disregarding his elite ability. Berrettini has played a lot of matches this year, and has spent a far greater amount of time on court than the Spaniard at Flushing Meadows, especially as Rafa missed out the second round altogether. Nadal’s experience, also, will come to his aid, and with the likelihood of a tiring Daniil Medvedev awaiting him in the final, will see this as his last great opportunity to win a fourth US Open title.