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Grand men's finale looms at US Open
Source: Agencies |
September 11, 2011, Sunday
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RAFAEL Nadal and Andy Murray joined Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the semifinals of the US Open on Friday to set the stage for a dramatic ending to the last grand slam of the year.
With First Lady Michelle Obama watching from the stands on a glorious sunny day at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Nadal and Murray ended the hopes of the host nation in the men's draw, eliminating the last two Americans to leave the top four players in the world to battle it out for the title at Flushing Meadows, New York.
"It's good for tennis," said Murray. "That's probably what people would like to see."
Andy Roddick and John Isner may disagree. Roddick was ripped apart by a ruthless Nadal 2-6, 1-6, 3-6 in less than two hours while the towering Isner finally ran into someone who could blunt his powerful serve, losing 5-7, 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (2) to Murray.
"I didn't have a lot of fun today," said Roddick.
The winners have little time to celebrate.
Nadal and Murray were to be back on center court for their match yesterday afternoon as part of a jam-packed day of four semifinals forced by heavy rain during the week.
Djokovic and Federer, who had the day off after winning their quarterfinals on Thursday, will lock horns in the other men's semifinal, while Serena Williams will meet world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki in the women's last four. The winner of the latter match will meet either Aussie Sam Stosur or unseeded German Angelique Kerber.
Nadal may have been struggling with his form and confidence for the past few months but the defending champion showed he has lost none of his ruthless ambition against Roddick, who was battling a leg injury and a superior opponent.
The Spaniard seized control from the outset, winning the first four games, and broke Roddick's serve six times.
"Even if I lose tomorrow, I am happy about my US Open," Nadal said. "It wasn't an easy situation for me coming to this tournament after not having an easy summer.
"I am doing a lot of things much better than few weeks ago. For me, a win is important but to feel competitive and have the feeling that I can win is probably even more important."
There was minor consolation for the United States when the teenage pairing of Melanie Oudin and Jack Sock won the mixed doubles final.
The pair, among a crop of the next generation of American players, needed a wildcard to get into the event but vindicated their inclusion by winning the final against the Argentine pairing of Gisela Dulko and Eduardo Schwank, taking the deciding tiebreaker 10-8 after splitting the sets 7-6 (4), 4-6.
With First Lady Michelle Obama watching from the stands on a glorious sunny day at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Nadal and Murray ended the hopes of the host nation in the men's draw, eliminating the last two Americans to leave the top four players in the world to battle it out for the title at Flushing Meadows, New York.
"It's good for tennis," said Murray. "That's probably what people would like to see."
Andy Roddick and John Isner may disagree. Roddick was ripped apart by a ruthless Nadal 2-6, 1-6, 3-6 in less than two hours while the towering Isner finally ran into someone who could blunt his powerful serve, losing 5-7, 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (2) to Murray.
"I didn't have a lot of fun today," said Roddick.
The winners have little time to celebrate.
Nadal and Murray were to be back on center court for their match yesterday afternoon as part of a jam-packed day of four semifinals forced by heavy rain during the week.
Djokovic and Federer, who had the day off after winning their quarterfinals on Thursday, will lock horns in the other men's semifinal, while Serena Williams will meet world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki in the women's last four. The winner of the latter match will meet either Aussie Sam Stosur or unseeded German Angelique Kerber.
Nadal may have been struggling with his form and confidence for the past few months but the defending champion showed he has lost none of his ruthless ambition against Roddick, who was battling a leg injury and a superior opponent.
The Spaniard seized control from the outset, winning the first four games, and broke Roddick's serve six times.
"Even if I lose tomorrow, I am happy about my US Open," Nadal said. "It wasn't an easy situation for me coming to this tournament after not having an easy summer.
"I am doing a lot of things much better than few weeks ago. For me, a win is important but to feel competitive and have the feeling that I can win is probably even more important."
There was minor consolation for the United States when the teenage pairing of Melanie Oudin and Jack Sock won the mixed doubles final.
The pair, among a crop of the next generation of American players, needed a wildcard to get into the event but vindicated their inclusion by winning the final against the Argentine pairing of Gisela Dulko and Eduardo Schwank, taking the deciding tiebreaker 10-8 after splitting the sets 7-6 (4), 4-6.
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