Considering there were concerns he might not even be able to take the court against Roger Federer, Juan Martin del Potro gave the fans a semi-final to savour at the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Saturday.

After his three-set victory over Viktor Troicki in the quarter-finals, del Potro’s communications manager, Jorge Viale, posted on Twitter that the Argentine had his wrist in a splint and would decide on Saturday morning if he could play against Federer. While not a serious injury, del Potro had suffered a wrist contusion.

But play he did and the Tandil native had Federer in all sorts of trouble as he took the first set against the Swiss. The tide turned when Federer broke in the sixth game of the second set, converting his fifth break point. The World No. 2 would go on to win the match, with del Potro crediting the Swiss’ aggressiveness and improved serving as the deciding factor.

“He took the confidence after that game,” reflected del Potro. “He broke me and he started to play more aggressive. He served much better after that game. I think he beat me in a good way. He played better in just couple of moments in both sets, and that was the only reason for my loss.”

Del Potro admitted he only decided when warming up for the match that he would play, having been advised it would not risk his wrist.

“I have been playing good tennis this week, but I felt good during the warm-up before the match, and I decided to play, because against Roger always is an honour to play,” said del Potro. “The court was really fast, so maybe that would help my game.

“I think I did well, but Roger played much better than me some moments of the match, and he took the chances. It’s very painful now after the match. After a big effort is the worst moment for my wrist.

“Now I have few days to take a rest. If, in these days I feel better to compete 100 per cent during the whole tournament, I will continue with my schedule.”

Moving on, Federer will play Rafael Nadal in a blockbuster final at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament. In what will be their 48th meeting, del Potro thinks Nadal is the only player capable of beating Federer in this form on the fast Shanghai courts.

“I think the court helps [Federer’s] game a lot, and he always is in good shape,” said del Potro. “He looks like an unbelievable athlete. I think on this court not many players can beat him. Maybe Rafa tomorrow, but if not, he’s the only one who can play an excellent tennis on this faster surface.

“Rafa is playing so good, but I think Roger could win if he feels the ball really, really well. Because the court is so fast, and for the game of Roger it is much better than Rafa’s game, but Rafa is a fighter and he never gives up. It will be interesting to watch.”

Roger Federer will face longtime rival Rafael Nadal for the fourth time this season after coming from a set down to defeat Juan Martin del Potro, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 at the Shanghai Rolex Masters. The 2014 champion advances to his third final at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event.

After failing to capitalise on four consecutive break points while down a set and up 3-2 in the second set, it appeared that Federer might be denied a meeting with World No. 1 Nadal for the second time in as many months by the Argentine, who defeated him in the quarter-finals at the US Open. But when del Potro missed a forehand wide on the fifth consecutive break point he faced, the 29 year old gave the Swiss all the momentum he needed to turn the match around.

The 36 year old did not face a break point in the final two sets, and broke twice in the decider to advance in one hour and 58 minutes.

Federer will meet Nadal for the third time in a final in 2017. The Swiss has won on all three occasions, and will look to close a 14-23 deficit in the pair’s FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry.

More to come.

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