Five-hour display of raw emotion
On match point against Juan Martin del Potro, Rafael Nadal sent down his lefty wide serve to the backhand of the Argentine, who chipped it back then started to sprint to the other side of the baseline in anticipation of his opponent’s response.
But before he knew it, Del Potro slipped and fell to the ground. He glanced over and saw Nadal’s backhand volley land safely in court and realised their gruelling four-hour 47-minute battle was officially over. All Del Potro could do was lie on the grass, face down, in despair.
“I didn't want to finish the match like that. At least I could hit my forehand in or out, but is not a good way to close the match like that. After almost five hours, I fell down. I wanted to stay there all night long,” an admittedly sad Del Potro said after his five-set quarter-final defeat to Nadal.
This fifth set is one of the best sets of tennis I've ever seen live
The showdown was a five-hour display of raw emotion from two players who are experts in conveying it, and it ended with Nadal hopping over the net and walking to Del Potro, who only got up when the Spaniard was towering over him. They hugged and moved towards the umpire’s chair with their arms around each other, knowing they had just produced a masterpiece.
Andy Murray, who was in the BBC commentary booth for the duration of the match, was in awe of their performance.
“This fifth set is one of the best sets of tennis I've ever seen live,” said Murray at one point during the decider.
World No.1 Simona Halep was equally impressed. “The best match I’ve ever seen! Big respect!!!” tweeted Romania's Roland-Garros champion.
“The tennis world would be a better place if DelPo and Rafa played each other every week,” posted Halep’s coach Darren Cahill.
The tributes kept pouring in and they were all justified.
The best match I’ve ever seen! Big respect!!!
Ten years on from that classic 2008 Wimbledon final against Roger Federer, Nadal was involved in another high-quality thriller on Centre Court – one that is arguably the match of the year so far on the men’s circuit.
With Nadal and Federer splitting the last six majors, there has been a sense of inevitability in the men’s game over the past 18 months.
While the younger generation has made some progress, the absence of the likes of Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka for various stretches of time, along with injury woes for Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic, have helped Nadal and Federer separate themselves from the rest, and results at the bigger tournaments became fairly predictable.
Of course there are exceptions, and Kevin Anderson’s upset win over Federer in the quarter-finals is proof of that. But it had been a long time since we’ve witnessed a gripping, high-intensity duel like the one between Nadal and Del Potro on Wednesday – one where the shot-making was jaw-dropping and you had no idea who would end up the victor.
“He was able to beat all the top guys. That's why also many people like to watch him play, because you feel something can happen,” Gilles Simon said of Del Potro before the clash with Nadal.
It’s true!
He was able to beat all the top guys. That's why also many people like to watch him play, because you feel something can happen
The big man from Argentina, with a thundering forehand that sent Murray into a fit of laughter during the fifth set against Nadal, is the one player outside the ‘Big Four’ who can elevate his level of play to where it was in that blockbuster quarter-final.
“One hundred and seven miles an hour. That's very funny,” chuckled Murray, marvelling at Del Potro’s wonder-shot.
Who else can force Nadal into hitting 67 winners in a match? The pair combined for a whopping total of 144.
Who else can trail the Mallorcan world No.1 3-6 in a tie-break, yet still walk away with the set?
Nadal had played no serve-and-volley points this tournament prior to the quarter-finals. Against Del Potro, he played eight and won seven of them. Facing him forces you to improvise.
Del Potro is one of a handful of players who could push the buttons of a healthy Nadal and the outcome this time was a real classic.
“When he starts to play with that high adrenaline, is very difficult to stop his forehand,” confessed Nadal.
From the diving volleys that sent Del Potro flying left and right, to Nadal jumping into the stands to retrieve a shot, to the emotional finale that brought the two rivals together, this quarter-final will certainly be a candidate for match of the year by season-end.