Nadal Moves Past Ferrer and Into Rome Final

By Chris Oddo         Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/ Getty

(May 19, 2012)—Rafael Nadal withstood a serious challenge from David Ferrer in the first set today, then cruised to a 7-6(6), 6-0 victory at the BNL Internazionali D'Italia semifinals in Rome.

Nadal, who hasn't lost a clay-court semifinal since 2003 (Carlos Moya, Umag) will face the winner of tonight's semifinal between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in tomorrow's final.

After saving seven break points in his first service game, it was apparent that Nadal would make things tough once again for his compatriot. Having already won the last eleven matches they've played on clay, Nadal certainly didn't lack for confidence, even in the face of a spirited effort from the world No. 6.

In spite of his early failures, Ferrer did take the early lead when he sent a backhand down the line that Nadal couldn't handle to lead 3-1. But Nadal would break back immediately, capitalizing when Ferrer double faulted at 15-40 in the very next game.

From there Nadal slowly sunk his teeth into his opponent. Although Ferrer was two points from the set in the twelfth game and twice in the tiebreaker (5-4 and 6-6), Nadal eventually scored the decisive blow when he sprinted from well behind the baseline to hit a winner of a high-bouncing Ferrer dropshot at 6-6.

On the next point a Ferrer forehand sailed long, sealing the 86-minute set for the five-time Rome champion.

Ferrer had nothing left in the second set, and Nadal converted 3 of 10 break point opportunities to notch his first bagel of the tournament.

Nadal will look to improve upon his 14-1 clay-court record and secure his 21st Masters title in tomorrow's final.