The men certainly created some drama on semi-finals day at the US Open, as defending champions Rafal Nadal bowed out of the competition.
Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin del Potro served up one set of brilliant competitive tennis…
Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina hits a return Rafael Nadal of Spain to during their Men's Singles Semi-Finals match at the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 7, 2018. (Photo by kena betancur / AFP) (Photo credit should read KENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty Images)
…which Delpo won…
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 07: Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina reacts during his men's singles semi-final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain on Day Twelve of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
… with some superb ground strokes, especially on his so-called weaker backhand side.
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 07: Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina returns the ball during his men's singles semi-final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain on Day Twelve of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
But then Rafa’s injury started to reveal itself.
Rafael Nadal receives treatment for injury
Even Del Potro appeared disappointed.
But Rafa waved goodbye to the 2018 US Open.
Rafael Nadal of Spain leaves the court after withdrawing while playing against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men's Singles Semi-Finals match at the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 7, 2018. (Photo by kena betancur / AFP) (Photo credit should read KENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty Images)
Next up it was Novak Djokovic and Kei Nishikori.
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 07: Former Tennis player Stan Smith poses for a photo with Kei Nishikori of Japan and Novak Djokovic of Serbia prior to their men's singles semi-final match on Day Twelve of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Japanese star started brightly.
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 07: Kei Nishikori of Japan returns the ball during his men's singles semi-final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Day Twelve of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Although Djokovic was unbreakable. Literally.
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 07: Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his men's singles semi-final match against Kei Nishikori of Japan on Day Twelve of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
And Nishikori soon cracked and followed Nadal out of the US Open.
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 07: Kei Nishikori of Japan reacts during his men's singles semi-final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Day Twelve of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
