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US Open 2017: Juan Martin del Potro takes first set against Rafael Nadal
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Published 09/09/2017 at 02:47 GMT+1
Juan Martin del Potro has taken a shock early lead against Rafael Nadal in the semi-final of the US Open.
Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina returns a shot against Rafael Nadal of Spain during their Men's Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2017 in the Flushing neighbor
Image credit: Getty Images
Del Potro came through an epic four-set thriller in the quarter-finals against Roger Federer and admitted before the semi he would have to produce something special to beat world number one Nadal.
RAFAEL NADAL V JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO - FOLLOW LIVE!
Whereas his backhand was a source of weakness against Federer, Del Potro looked confident with his hitting, combined with his traditionally strong forehand and serve.
Nadal struggled to cope with the Argentine's power but will take solace from the his record in this tournament of dropping the first set and coming back, as well as the number of long games his opponent has played with an illness.
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