World number one Rafael Nadal, seeking his first US Open title to complete a career Grand Slam, advanced to the last four on Thursday by defeating eighth-seeded Spanish compatriot Fernando Verdasco
World number one Rafael Nadal, seeking his first US Open title to complete a career Grand Slam, advanced to the last four on Thursday by defeating eighth-seeded Spanish compatriot Fernando Verdasco.
Nadal, who has not lost a set in the tournament, rolled 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 and will play for a finals berth on Saturday against Russian 12th seed Mikhail Youzhny, who ousted Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
"It was a very important victory," Nadal said. "It's a very nice feeling to be in the semi-finals third time in a row in one of the most important tournaments in the world, for me right now probably the most important."
Nadal has reached the US Open semi-finals for the third year in a row but has never made it to final, losing to Britain's Andy Murray in 2008 and eventual winner Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina last year.
"For me, the semi-final is amazing but I have to keep playing better if I want to win the final," Nadal said. "It's a great thing for me, especially without losing a set. I played every day better." Nadal seeks his ninth career Grand Slam title and third in a row in 2010 after Wimbledon and the French Open. Only Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and Rod Laver have won three Slams in a row in the Open Era that began in 1968.
Swiss second seed Federer, a 16-time Grand Slam champion, and Serbian third seed Novak Djokovic meet in the other semi-final. Both were off Thursday but barring rain Nadal must win three matches in four days to claim the title. "I have to play my best tennis," Nadal said. "That's the only way I'm going to get to the last round."
