Nadal, Venus reach finals in contrasting styles
Source: Agencies |
May 16, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
RAFAEL Nadal rallied to beat Nicolas Almagro of Spain 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 yesterday to reach the Madrid Masters final.
Nadal is 14-0 on clay this season, winning titles in Monte Carlo and Rome. He has lost only two sets during that run, and is looking for a record 18th Masters title. Nadal and Andre Agassi have won 17 each, with Roger Federer at 16.
Yesterday's win will return Nadal to the No. 2 spot in the rankings.
The second-seeded Nadal made a string of early unforced errors, dropping serve three times in the opening set. He will play either Spanish compatriot David Ferrer or top-ranked Roger Federer in the final.
The 24-year-old Almagro had never beaten Nadal in five previous attempts although he appeared on course to win as he kept firing forehand winners past his fellow Spaniard.
Earlier, Venus Williams reached her first Madrid Masters final by beating Shahar Peer 6-3, 6-0.
Williams now has a 12-1 record on clay this year after having beaten Australian Samantha Stosur and Russia's Vera Zvonareva this week.
The fourth-seeded American will play Aravane Rezai of France, who won her semifinal after Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic retired hurt after losing the first set 0-1.
Williams looked in control as she secured an early break to go up 3-1. The unseeded Peer responded immediately, earning three break points after firing a forehand pass down the line. Williams saved the first two before hitting a backhand into the net.
Williams eventually found some rhythm on serve, and closed out the first set, breaking the Israeli again.
Nadal is 14-0 on clay this season, winning titles in Monte Carlo and Rome. He has lost only two sets during that run, and is looking for a record 18th Masters title. Nadal and Andre Agassi have won 17 each, with Roger Federer at 16.
Yesterday's win will return Nadal to the No. 2 spot in the rankings.
The second-seeded Nadal made a string of early unforced errors, dropping serve three times in the opening set. He will play either Spanish compatriot David Ferrer or top-ranked Roger Federer in the final.
The 24-year-old Almagro had never beaten Nadal in five previous attempts although he appeared on course to win as he kept firing forehand winners past his fellow Spaniard.
Earlier, Venus Williams reached her first Madrid Masters final by beating Shahar Peer 6-3, 6-0.
Williams now has a 12-1 record on clay this year after having beaten Australian Samantha Stosur and Russia's Vera Zvonareva this week.
The fourth-seeded American will play Aravane Rezai of France, who won her semifinal after Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic retired hurt after losing the first set 0-1.
Williams looked in control as she secured an early break to go up 3-1. The unseeded Peer responded immediately, earning three break points after firing a forehand pass down the line. Williams saved the first two before hitting a backhand into the net.
Williams eventually found some rhythm on serve, and closed out the first set, breaking the Israeli again.
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