Rafa Advances To The Final

Rafael Nadal defeated Andy Roddick in the second semifinal of the day 6-4 7-6(4). This was a highly anticipated matchup since Roddick is playing well this year. In the end, Nadal prevailed, but it was a respectable loss for Andy since he remained competitive with Nadal.

Nadal struggled in the first game of the match but was able to hold onto his serve. He then began to hold easily during the next couple of service games. Roddick served well throughout, and all was even until the seventh game. Roddick started to serve and volley, and Nadal responded by playing target practice around the American for the break. In turn, Roddick then jumped ahead to 0-30 during Nadal’s next service game, but Nadal started flattening his shots and pushing Roddick around the court to hold serve. The Spaniard cruised to win the first set.

It looked like Roddick had shaken off the first set loss, but Nadal struck Roddick for the break in the third game of the second set. Roddick returned the break to level the set to 3-3 after Nadal had four unforced errors in his service game. After a long game and a series of long rallies, Nadal broke Roddick again in the seventh game.

Nadal began to wear down Roddick, and it looked like the match was over. While Nadal was serving for the set, Roddick broke back to level the set at 5-5 and then held serve. The Spaniard tightened up his service game to take the set to a tiebreak.

In the tiebreak, Nadal went back to business by stopping the errors and tightening up his serve. He jumped ahead to 5-2. Roddick held onto his two service points to bring the tiebreak to 5-4, but Nadal responded by holding onto his service points to take the set and the match.

All is not lost for Roddick. He will play in the doubles final with partner Mardy Fish against Max Mirnyi and Andy Ram. As for Nadal, he will play Andy Murray in the final and have a rematch of the Rotterdam final. The Spaniard currently leads their head-to-head 5-2, but Murray has won the last two meetings at the US Open last year and this year in the Rotterdam final.

(image: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)