Rafael Nadal is through to the semifinals in New York after crushing Tommy Robredo in straight sets on Wednesday. Next up for Nadal is Richard Gasquet.
Wednesday night was supposed to feature the 32nd career meeting between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. At least that was the thought when the U.S. Open draw was revealed two weeks ago.
Instead, the nightcap produced nothing more than one hour and 40 minutes of an absolute beatdown, the recipient of which was Tommy Robredo. Nadal crushed his fellow Spaniard 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 to set up a semifinal showdown against Richard Gasquet.
The 2010 champion did not lose a single game until the third frame of the second set, when Robredo finally held. Still, it was one-way traffic the entire way. Nadal fired 28 winners, won 15 of 16 net points, and did not face a single break point.
“I think I played my best match of the U.S. Open this year,” Nadal said afterward. “I am very happy with the way that I moved myself on court, very happy with the way I hit my forehand and my backhand, especially. When I had the forehand, I was able to change the direction a lot of times and with a lot of precision.”
“I started a little bit tight, and he was up very quick,” lamented Robredo, who upset Federer in straight sets during fourth-round action on Monday evening. “Then [there] was nothing else to do. He was too good.”
Gasquet will have to hope for a sudden dip in Nadal’s form, but the world No. 2 is undefeated on hard courts in 2013 and showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The ninth-ranked Frenchman, meanwhile, booked his spot in the last four by surviving David Ferrer in five sets.
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Have u guys checked out the photos from the USOpen, yet? Gr8. I also really like this site too. But like NNY don’t want any those awful trolls that ruined TT here. Seems very “clean” so far.Fingers crossed.
Really like Steen’s analysis..
So thanks from me too, Ricky. BTW any news of Cheryl?