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Nadal through, Venus faces Clijsters
Source: Agencies |
September 9, 2010, Thursday
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RAFAEL Nadal edged closer to a place in his first US Open final after thrashing fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 on Tuesday with another devastating serving performance.
The world No. 1, who would complete the collection of grand slam titles with a victory at Flushing Meadows, shrugged off swirling winds at Arthur Ashe Stadium to wrap up his fourth straight sets win of this year's championship in a little over two hours.
The start was delayed because of a backlog of matches and did not finish until early yesterday morning despite Nadal's best efforts to get it over as quickly as possible.
The result appeared a foregone conclusion from the moment Nadal strolled out to center court, dressed menacingly in an all-black outfit, and opened up a 3-0 lead.
"I think I am playing well, but I am not playing yet at my highest level," Nadal said. "I am playing better and better every day and I had to play a little bit better this match."
Nadal has yet to lose a game on his service in the entire championship and against Lopez, the 23rd seed, he won a staggering 90 percent of first serve points. His fastest delivery was timed at 217 kph.
Lopez had a great chance to break Nadal in the first set when he had him 0-40 but the top seed immediately snuffed him out. "I didn't play bad but he played better in (the) important points than me," Lopez said. "Rafa, he doesn't give you so many chances in one match."
Nadal has worked hard on his serve in the belief that it is key to his chances of finally conquering New York.
If his form over the past week is any guide, the wait may soon be over.
"To be in quarterfinals of the US Open without losing a set and without losing a serve, two things must work really well: the concentration and the serve," Nadal said.
Nadal's opponent in the quarterfinal is another Davis Cup teammate, Fernando Verdasco, who advanced the hard way by wearing down David Ferrer 5-7, 6-7, 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 after almost four and a half hours on court.
"Yeah, that was long, but I played in Australia five hours 15 minutes in semifinals, and I had to play the final one day later," Nadal said.
"I was very tired, but I was ready. I think for sure he's gonna be ready."
Another quarterfinal will pit No. 12 Mikhail Youzhny against No. 25 Stanislas Wawrinka.
Marquee semifinal
Kim Clijsters and Venus Williams each won their quarterfinal matches to set up a marquee semifinal - the No. 2 seed Clijsters vs the No. 3 seed Williams, and a pair of women both seeking a third US Open championship.
"Just the ability to compete," Venus said when asked to describe her opponent. "I think in coming back from her layoff, I think she never lost that. Obviously she's a very good athlete. When you're a really, really incredible athlete, it really takes your game to another level."
Venus overcame nine double-faults and a total of 33 unforced errors - much of it caused by a wind that whipped around Arthur Ashe Stadium for yet another day - to beat reigning French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 7-6 (5), 6-4.
Clijsters also got pushed by No. 5 Sam Stosur. In a match that featured 15 breaks of serve, Clijsters finally held at the end of the third set for a 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 victory.
"I didn't play a good match, but I was obviously able to win it," Clijsters said.
"That's obviously, at the end of the day, what we try to do out here, is try to win the matches whether you play good or bad."
The world No. 1, who would complete the collection of grand slam titles with a victory at Flushing Meadows, shrugged off swirling winds at Arthur Ashe Stadium to wrap up his fourth straight sets win of this year's championship in a little over two hours.
The start was delayed because of a backlog of matches and did not finish until early yesterday morning despite Nadal's best efforts to get it over as quickly as possible.
The result appeared a foregone conclusion from the moment Nadal strolled out to center court, dressed menacingly in an all-black outfit, and opened up a 3-0 lead.
"I think I am playing well, but I am not playing yet at my highest level," Nadal said. "I am playing better and better every day and I had to play a little bit better this match."
Nadal has yet to lose a game on his service in the entire championship and against Lopez, the 23rd seed, he won a staggering 90 percent of first serve points. His fastest delivery was timed at 217 kph.
Lopez had a great chance to break Nadal in the first set when he had him 0-40 but the top seed immediately snuffed him out. "I didn't play bad but he played better in (the) important points than me," Lopez said. "Rafa, he doesn't give you so many chances in one match."
Nadal has worked hard on his serve in the belief that it is key to his chances of finally conquering New York.
If his form over the past week is any guide, the wait may soon be over.
"To be in quarterfinals of the US Open without losing a set and without losing a serve, two things must work really well: the concentration and the serve," Nadal said.
Nadal's opponent in the quarterfinal is another Davis Cup teammate, Fernando Verdasco, who advanced the hard way by wearing down David Ferrer 5-7, 6-7, 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 after almost four and a half hours on court.
"Yeah, that was long, but I played in Australia five hours 15 minutes in semifinals, and I had to play the final one day later," Nadal said.
"I was very tired, but I was ready. I think for sure he's gonna be ready."
Another quarterfinal will pit No. 12 Mikhail Youzhny against No. 25 Stanislas Wawrinka.
Marquee semifinal
Kim Clijsters and Venus Williams each won their quarterfinal matches to set up a marquee semifinal - the No. 2 seed Clijsters vs the No. 3 seed Williams, and a pair of women both seeking a third US Open championship.
"Just the ability to compete," Venus said when asked to describe her opponent. "I think in coming back from her layoff, I think she never lost that. Obviously she's a very good athlete. When you're a really, really incredible athlete, it really takes your game to another level."
Venus overcame nine double-faults and a total of 33 unforced errors - much of it caused by a wind that whipped around Arthur Ashe Stadium for yet another day - to beat reigning French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 7-6 (5), 6-4.
Clijsters also got pushed by No. 5 Sam Stosur. In a match that featured 15 breaks of serve, Clijsters finally held at the end of the third set for a 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 victory.
"I didn't play a good match, but I was obviously able to win it," Clijsters said.
"That's obviously, at the end of the day, what we try to do out here, is try to win the matches whether you play good or bad."
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