RAFAEL NADAL IS still the “King of Clay” at the French Open, and he will be for at least another couple of days after defeating Andy Murray 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 this afternoon to reach his sixth final in seven years at Roland Garros.
The top-ranked Spaniard wasn’t perfect against Murray, struggling at times with his serve and getting broken three times, but his play was consistent enough to take care of his opponent’s defensive tactics.
Nadal will face either 16-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic in the final. Federer and Djokovic, who is unbeaten in 2011, have just started play in today’s second semi-final.
Nadal celebrated his 25th birthday on Court Philippe Chatrier with yet another victory, improving his record on the clay in Paris to 44-1. With a win in Sunday’s final, he would equal Bjorn Borg’s record of six French Open titles and guarantee himself the No. 1 ranking.
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Against Murray, he sure looked like the best player in the world.
Nadal broke Murray early in each of the three sets. And although he lost his serve once in the first and twice in the second, Nadal always looked to be the one in charge — even helping the ground’s crew by frequently cleaning the clay off his baseline by dragging his foot along the white paint.
When the big points were played, it was Nadal that often came out on top.
He saved 15 of 18 break points and converted six of the 13 he earned. After saving the second of two break points in the second game of the second set, Nadal let out a primal “Vamos!” or “Come on!”
The wind was swirling on court yet again, at one point forcing Murray to turn around to avoid the floating red dust from getting into his eyes. A few games later, while Murray was serving in the second set, a spectator’s Panama hat blew onto the clay court.
A ball boy quickly retrieved the offending chapeau, and Nadal then claimed his second break point of the game when Murray sent a backhand wide.
Three points later, Nadal broke for a 6-5 lead with a forehand winner.
Murray was playing his third match since injuring his right ankle in the third round. The fourth-seeded Briton, who was trying to become the first man from his country to win a Grand Slam title since 1936, said he tore a tendon when he twisted it against Michael Berrer.
But he won a five-setter in the fourth round and won in straight sets in the quarterfinals.
He finally showed some weakness in his foot against Nadal, sighing and grabbing his ankle after wasting a break point in the final game of the first set.
Nadal storms past Murray to book place in French Open final
RAFAEL NADAL IS still the “King of Clay” at the French Open, and he will be for at least another couple of days after defeating Andy Murray 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 this afternoon to reach his sixth final in seven years at Roland Garros.
The top-ranked Spaniard wasn’t perfect against Murray, struggling at times with his serve and getting broken three times, but his play was consistent enough to take care of his opponent’s defensive tactics.
Nadal will face either 16-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic in the final. Federer and Djokovic, who is unbeaten in 2011, have just started play in today’s second semi-final.
Nadal celebrated his 25th birthday on Court Philippe Chatrier with yet another victory, improving his record on the clay in Paris to 44-1. With a win in Sunday’s final, he would equal Bjorn Borg’s record of six French Open titles and guarantee himself the No. 1 ranking.
Against Murray, he sure looked like the best player in the world.
Nadal broke Murray early in each of the three sets. And although he lost his serve once in the first and twice in the second, Nadal always looked to be the one in charge — even helping the ground’s crew by frequently cleaning the clay off his baseline by dragging his foot along the white paint.
When the big points were played, it was Nadal that often came out on top.
He saved 15 of 18 break points and converted six of the 13 he earned. After saving the second of two break points in the second game of the second set, Nadal let out a primal “Vamos!” or “Come on!”
The wind was swirling on court yet again, at one point forcing Murray to turn around to avoid the floating red dust from getting into his eyes. A few games later, while Murray was serving in the second set, a spectator’s Panama hat blew onto the clay court.
A ball boy quickly retrieved the offending chapeau, and Nadal then claimed his second break point of the game when Murray sent a backhand wide.
Three points later, Nadal broke for a 6-5 lead with a forehand winner.
Murray was playing his third match since injuring his right ankle in the third round. The fourth-seeded Briton, who was trying to become the first man from his country to win a Grand Slam title since 1936, said he tore a tendon when he twisted it against Michael Berrer.
But he won a five-setter in the fourth round and won in straight sets in the quarterfinals.
He finally showed some weakness in his foot against Nadal, sighing and grabbing his ankle after wasting a break point in the final game of the first set.
– AP
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Andy Murray french open One Step Closer Rafael Nadal Roland Garros