Rafael Nadal and Kevin Anderson advanced to the US Open Men’s final with impressive matches in Friday’s semifinals.

Two first-time major semifinalists squared off in the opening match. It was the power game of Kevin Anderson against the steady-as-you-go Pablo Carreno Busta. In the end, it was the big South African who advanced, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.

In the first set, it was Anderson’s over-aggressive style that led to a high unforced-error count as he appeared tight out of the blocks. Meanwhile, Carreno Busta exhibited good defense and solid groundstrokes. The Spaniard won a service break to take a 5-3 lead, which was enough to log the first set in his favor.

Anderson began to control play more to his liking in the second set as his big strikes started to find their targets more consistently. The South African broke to take a 3-1 advantage but after a shaky service game, gave it right back. But, he refused to give up momentum and continued to dictate play. Then, as Carreno Busta served to stay in the set at 5-6, Anderson struck, breaking serve to take the set. He benefited from 7 aces and 20 winners in the set.

In the third set, Anderson came out with positive energy much like during the Querrey match. Outwardly pumping himself up, he created 3 break points in the opening game. And while Carreno Busta found a way to fight those off and hold serve, he could not stop the tide that followed. Anderson took control of the set, building a 4-1 lead and remained in full control as he closed out the set.

It was Anderson, once again, who was the player with the confidence in the fourth set as he parlayed his momentum from the third. The veteran continued to aggressively take his shots with big, angled groundstrokes. And in the fifth game, he would break Carreno Busta and would not let the Spaniard sniff a service break in his remaining games as he closed out the match.

Anderson will advance to the first major final of his career. He put the result into perspective, “It’s been a long road. We’ve been privileged to play in these tournaments against some of the game’s great players; it was nice for some of them to give us the opportunity to do this [by the absence]. It’s why we worked so hard. It was an unbelievably tough match for both of us. I really had to dig deep there. I’m just over the moon. I’ve given myself one more shot. Last year, I was told I probably needed surgery on my hip, but here I am just nine months later. This means the absolute world to me.”

Two major champions met in the night cap as a couple of the most popular players on tour met for a chance to meet Anderson in the final. And in this battle, Nadal was too strong, winning 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2.

It was cat-and-mouse in the opening set as each player experimented with court positions and shot selections. Nadal looked to make inroads into the Del Potro backhand wing while the Argentine attempted to draw Nadal into his wheelhouse forehand. And in the fifth game, Del Potro found an opportunity as a net cord dropped in giving him the first service break of the match. The level of play elevated as the set moved forward and the two entertained with highly competitive shot making. But as gritty as Nadal fought, he could not win the equalizing service break and Del Potro took the first set.

Nadal started the second set with a sense of urgency as he fired deep forehands, placing the 2009 US Open champion on the run. Then, after successfully turning defense into offense, he found his first service break of the match, with the momentum firmly on his side. He raced out to a huge advantage. The flood gates opened for Nadal who blitzed through the set with a purpose, in just 27 minutes.

The assault continued into the third set as Del Potro began to appear weary. When the dust settled, Nadal had won nine straight games before the run ended with the Spaniard up 3-1. The 31-year-old went after the legs of Del Potro by constantly moving him around the court and he could not find an equalizing break of serve and the set went to the 15-time major champion.

Del Potro began the fourth set looking for one final stand as he held serve early. But the body blows from Nadal had taken its toll and points began to come easier. He would finish the match all-business ensuring his spot in Sunday’s final. It was a dominating final three sets by the Spaniard. Meanwhile, the terrific run by Del Potro, which included a tremendous comeback win against Dominic Thiem and a strong victory against Roger Federer, came to an end.

“It means everything to be back here on this amazing court in front of this amazing crowd,” Nadal said. “Just the fact to be in the final, and have the chance to fight for another title here is so important for me.”  He has never lost to Kevin Anderson, holding a 4-0 head-to-head record. Nadal stated that the two have known each other since they were 12-years-old when they played junior tennis. The final will be on Sunday afternoon from Arthur Ashe Stadium.