US OPEN 2018| Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro set up epic final show down

The summit clash of the 2018 US Open witnesses two of tennis's heavyweights, Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro who will battle under the lights at the Flushing Meadows. Novak Djokovic will be seeking his second successive Grand Slam title when after ending a two-year drought since returning from injury at Wimbledon in July. The Serb also became the first player to win all nine Masters titles after he won the Cincinnati Open in August. While for Juan Martin Del Potro, it's his first Grand Slam final appearance in nine years and only the second of his career. Who will come out on top? 

History

This will be the 19th meeting between the duo, with Novak enjoying a better measure of their head-to-head record with 14 wins, while del Potro having 4 wins to his name. Interestingly, the first match between the two was at the US Open 2007, where Djokovic got the better of the Argentine 6-1 6-3 6-4 in the third round. They met again at the US Open quarterfinals in 2012, in which the Serbian ran out straight sets victor yet again, 6-2 7-6 6-4. This will be their first Grand Slam meeting since 2013, when Djokovic ousted his opponent in a five-set thriller in the semi-finals of the Wimbledon. 

Road To The Final

Novak Djokovic didn't get this US Open campaign off to the best of starts after securing a 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-0 win over Marton Fucsovics on a typical hot and sunny day at the Flushing Meadows. In the second round, he wasn't at his best, but he yet dispatched Tennys Sandgren 6-1 6-3 6-7 6-2, before handing Richard Gasquet a 6-2 6-3 6-3 in the third round. The humid conditions continued to take a toll on him, as he was made to battle past Joao Sousa 6-3 6-4 6-3 in the round of 16. He was again made toil hard in a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over John Millman in the quarterfinals. But in the semifinals, the Serbian didn't have to sweat one bit against the Japanese, winning in comfortable fashion,  6-3 6-4 6-2.

Del Potro got his tournament off to a flyer, registering a resounding 6-0 6-3 6-4 win over Donald Young before packing his compatriot Denis Kudla 6-3 6-1 7-6 in the second round. The Argentine steam-rolled in the third round and fourth round after thrashing Fernando Verdasco  5-7 6-7 3-6, and Borna Coric 6-4 6-3 6-1. The only resistance Del Potro had to face was from John Isner in the quarterfinals, before defending champion Rafael Nadal retired in the semi-finals to give the Argentine smooth passage int the finals.

Match-up

This clash has all the ingredients for a classic match of tennis. The match pits one of the most dangerous and attacking players in the form of Del Potro, against Djokovic who is considered one of the best defenders of the sport. The Argentine's biggest strengths this tournament has been is monstrous forehand, which has been difficult to counter by most players. However, the key to getting to better of the Serbian would be to consistently serve well. Del Potro needs to work in this department, having won an impressive 82% points on his first serve, while falling behind with 52% on his second serve.

That number looks poised to reduce further against Djokovic, who is considered one of the greatest returners of the sport. Despite a shaky start to the tournament, the Serb turned in an awe-inspiring performance in the semi-finals against Kei Nishikori. Considering the experience Djokovic brings with his ability to win big matches, he might be the bookies favorite to clinch his third US Open title. On the other hand, there's no counting out Martin Del Potro, who will have the backing of the crowd, given the venomous form he is in.