Rafael Nadal Comes Through Verdasco Clash
10 September 2010
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Rafael Nadal made his third consecutive U.S. Open semi final as he saw off compatriot Fernando Verdasco in the first all Spanish quarter final in the tournament's history.
And while Nadal had won all of their ten previous meeting he was pushed by Verdasco at the Australian Open semi final in 2009, the number one seed needing fives sets and five hours to bag a win.
It was another blustery night in New York and it was the world number one who made the more conservative start as he tried to adapt to the weather conditions.
Verdasco on the other hand began in amore aggressive manner and was rewarded in the third game as he broke Nadal for the first time in the tournament, however Nadal would not face another break point for the rest of the match.
But Nadal was back on level terms in the eight game as he broke Verdasco, having missed his chance in the opening service game, after two double faults from his compatriot.
With two more service holds and a second break and Nadal was one the board as he got the first set under his belt.
From that point on Nadal didn't look back as he looked more at ease with the wind in the second set as he stepped up the aggression in his play and used the wind to his advantage.
And while Verdasco continued to battle he began to get frustrated with the wind. But Nadal had to wait until the sixth game of the second set to get the breakthrough.
Three games later and Nadal had a triple set point to take a two sets lead, and Verdasco never looked in the right frame of mind to make a huge fight back.
And that proved to be the cast as Nadal broke in the opening game of the third to immediately have the upper hand in the set. And Verdasco could not get back on level terms as Nadal didn't face a single set point.
After two hours and twenty two minutes Nadal had wrapped up a 7-5 6-3 6-4 win over Verdasco.
Speaking to the BBC after the match Nadal said: For now it's a very nice feeling to be in semi-finals for third time in a row in one of the most important tournaments of the world. For me right now probably the most important.
"I have to keep playing better if I want to win the final. It's a great thing for me, especially without losing a set. I played every day better."
He will now face Mikhail Youzhny for a place in the final as the Russian saw off Stanislas Wawrinka in a five set epic winning 3-6, 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in four hours.
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