By James Waterson Photo Credit: Natasha Peterson/Corleve
(September 9, 2011) Defending champion Rafael Nadal booked his spot in the semifinals of the US Open after he dominated Andy Roddick 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 Friday afternoon.
From the start, Nadal was in title-winning form. He broke Roddick twice to get up 4-0, and the American looked as if he had nothing to hurt the Spaniard with.
That set the tone for the rest of the match, as Nadal had an answer for everything Roddick tried. The American attempted to come to the net, but he won only 38 percent of those points.
He tried to play from behind the baseline, but he hit only 15 winners to 25 unforced errors.
Meanwhile, Nadal hit 35 winners to a meager 13 unforced errors. He also broke Roddick’s serve six times, and saved four break point opportunities. The Spaniard wrapped up the match in just under two hours.
“It was quick. You know, obviously it was a combination of things that probably weren't gonna work out today,” Roddick said. “You know, it was evident pretty early that he was in full control of things.”
Roddick said that the four-set match he won against David Ferrer on Thursday left him drained.
“It's tough playing a lot of matches regularly, but I had zero reserves. I didn't have any time to train this summer, so playing a tough match like yesterday I felt ‑ I played a four‑setter yesterday; I felt like I played six sets,” he said. “Came out today and I just couldn't ‑‑ you know, I was trying to push up on serves, and I felt like I was falling over as opposed to pushing up. Just didn't have much.”
Nadal said he noticed his opponent was below his best.
“Yeah, probably he was ‑‑ I ask him how was him, but he told me, I am fine. But I think he was tired because the match of yesterday. You know how tough is play best of five two days in a row, and he played against very difficult opponent like David yesterday,” Nadal said.
“So is always a very hard match against him, and probably he was tired. You know, that happens when the rain comes. I think I did well. I did a very good match, I think.”
The Spaniard moves on to face World No. 4 Andy Murray, who beat John Isner in four sets earlier in the day. Their match will be the third time they’re playing in a Grand Slam semifinal this year, with Nadal winning the previous two.
After his match, Murray said the match-up between him and Nadal is a lot closer on hard courts than anything else, which Nadal said may make the difference in who wins.
“If he's closer, he will beat me because clay was very close, and on hard especially ‑‑ on grass was very close match. He was beating me one set, and I remember important mistake with his forehand, was an easy forehand to do, to put 15‑40 in the beginning of the second, so was close. Was really, really close match,” Nadal said.
“He's fantastic player on all the surfaces and it will be a very tough match for me and hopefully for him, too.”