'Lion' Nadal roars into US Open semis chasing 19th Slam title

Rafael Nadal, called a "lion" by his latest victim and "the greatest fighter ever" by his next opponent, stalks his 19th Grand Slam title in Friday's US Open semi-finals.

The 33-year-old Spaniard, forced to retire from last year's semi-finals with knee pain, is feeling healthy now and ready to pounce upon Italy's 24th-seeded Matteo Berrettini.

"He's serving huge, big forehands, moving well, and big confidence because he's having a great year, so let's see. I need to play my best," Nadal said of his first-time foe.

"Looks relaxed, looks he's ready to fight for important things."
"I saw some matches of him here. He was playing unbelievable," Medvedev said. "We all know what he's capable of when he's playing like he can."
"He's big. He's a fighter. He knows how to play the important moments every single time."
"It's unbelievable (what) he's doing. I admire him, the way he is on the court, like his attitude is something I think it's close to perfection."
"It was unbelievable," Berrettini said. "I saw, like, 100 of his matches. Who in this tour doesn't know Rafa? It's going to be tough, for sure, against him."
- Sore quad nags Medvedev -
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"That's what I've been working for all my life," Medvedev said. "That's where I've been going step by step. But I am still really surprised with the way this last four weeks have been going. I've achieved some of what I've dreamed."
"Clearly he's doing something right. It's not going to be an easy match."