New Delhi:
It is all set for a blockbuster Sunday for tennis fans across the globe with two-time champion Rafael Nadal locking horns with South Africa's Kevin Anderson in the US Open men's singles final at Flushing Meadows later on Sunday.
The match is scheduled to take place at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, USTA in New York. The match would commence at around 1:30 am (Indian Standard time).
Nadal would start as the strong favorite against Anderson given the Spaniard's proven record and experience at winning grand slams and his impressive record against Anderson in the past.
However the 6 foot 8 inch South African giant could pose a severe challenge to the game's best counter-puncher with his booming serves and solid ground strokes.
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Nadal, a two time US Open champion shall be looking for a third title at the last major of the year. Nadal had clinched the US Open singles crown in 2010 and 2013. Nadal has also made it to the finals in 2011.
Meanwhile the World No 32, Kevin Anderson would be eagerly looking to win his maiden grand slam. His previous best also came at the US Open when he reached the quarters in. On Sunday, he will be the first South African to play in the US Open final since Cliff Drysdale lost to Manuel Santana in 1965.
Nadal vs Anderson - Head to Head
The head to head between the two is also heavily stacked in favour of Nadal. Nadal has won all the four previous meetings between the two players on the ATP tour. Nadal had beaten Anderson in straight sets in their last encounter on clay at 2017 Barcelona Open.
Road to the US Open finals
Rafael Nadal: Rafael Nadal has been in stupendous form all through the tournament. Nadal was a little patchy in his opening rounds dropping a set against L Mayer and T Daniel but got back into his groove trouncing A. Dolgopolov in the fourth round to seal a quarter-final berth. Nadal trounced upcoming Russian teenager A Rublev in the quarters and then fended off a strong challenge from Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro in the semis to make it to the summit clash.
Kevin Anderson: Meanwhile, it has been fairy tale run for the 6 foot 8 inch Anderson who has made it to his maiden grand slam final. The Proteas won his first three matches with relative ease but had to fend off a strong challenge from Italian P. Lorenzi in the fourth round. Anderson prevailed over American Sam Querrey in the 'Battle of the Big servers before knocking out twelfth seed P. Carreño Busta of Spain in a four set semifinal.
Here is a look at the career profiles of the US Open men's singles finalist
Seeding at US Open 2017
Rafael Nadal - 1
Kevin Anderson - 28
ATP Titles
Rafael Nadal - 73
Kevin Anderson - 3
US Open Titles
Rafael Nadal - 2 (2010, 2013)
Kevin Anderson - 0
Grand Slam Titles Won
Rafael Nadal - 15
Kevin Anderson - 0
