It would be understandable if Rafael Nadal, 12 times a champion in Paris

It would be understandable if Rafael Nadal, 12 times a champion in Paris, had mixed feelings to go with his mixed results at the US Open. As a player, the 33-year-old champ feels most at home at Roland Garros. But somewhat surprisingly, the US Open -- where Nadal has won three titles -- has become something of a second home.

"I said every single day, but I can repeat: I feel comfortable here," Nadal said late Friday evening after advancing to his fifth championship match in Flushing Meadows. In the final, he'll play Daniil Medvedev, the 23-year-old Russian player who has been tearing up the hard courts all summer. "I like the [US Open] atmosphere. I like the crowd. I feel a big energy when I am playing in this Arthur Ashe Stadium."