Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro will face Serb Novak Djokovic at the U.S. Open final on Sunday.
Del Porto advanced to Grand Slam final for the first time since 2009 after world No. 1 Rafael Nadal retired, citing a knee injury, at the semifinals in New York.
“Of course, it’s not the best way to win a match,” said del Potro: “I love to play against Rafa because he’s the biggest fighter in this sport. I don’t like to see him suffering on the court.”
“[But] I’m so happy to be in the final again,” added the 29-year-old tennis player, according to the U.S. Open website.
For his part, the Spaniard said that it was “very difficult for me to say goodbye before the match finishes”.
“But at some point, you have to make a decision. It was so difficult for me to keep playing at the same time that way, having too much pain,” Nadal added.
Separately, world No. 6 Djokovic advanced to the Grand Slam final by beating Kei Nishikori in the second semifinal.
