Ok, nothing like that going on, clean your minds LOL.
Here is a short video of Roger being congratulated by the Nadal's after his win at the World Tour Finals
Courtesy: rvrvhch
Showing posts with label O2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label O2. Show all posts
Rafal Nadal - Press conference video
Finally found the press conference on video. Unfortunately you cannot embed this video so here is the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzPyArRVhk0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzPyArRVhk0
Rafa meets Diego
We all saw Diego Maradona at the World Tour Finals last week. Here he is paying Rafa a visit after the final on Sunday.
Art of Tennis auction - Finished
All the auctions are now closed.
Rafa's sold for $26, 500
Roger's sold for $27,300
Novak's sold for $22, 103
Andy Murray's sold for $7301
Robin Soderling's sold for $5100
Tomas Berdych sold for $3001
David Ferrer's sold for $3350
Andy Roddick's sold for $33, 100
Rafael Nadal - Press Conferernce transcript
R. FEDERER/R. Nadal
6-3, 3-6, 6-1
6-3, 3-6, 6-1
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Could you give us your thoughts on today's final.
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, he played unbelievable. I think in the beginning was unplayable I think this first set. I still having chances in the second, and the beginning of the third, so-so.
But, anyway, my though is he played better than me, he beat me. I just can congratulate him for his victory and another great tournament for him. He played unbelievable during all the week without losing a set, being in the final. So his level was very high.
I try my best this afternoon, but he was better than me.
Q. Yesterday almost nobody believed that you were tired, because you're never tired, but today you seemed to be tired. You were a little slow. Did you feel that in your legs, apart from Federer playing well, or not?
RAFAEL NADAL: I think is not the right moment to talk about that. The thing is everybody saw the match of yesterday, so everybody's free to think his own opinion.
But I don't gonna say I lost the match because I was tired. What I gonna say and what I feel is I lost the match because I played against a very good Roger Federer in one of his favorite surfaces. And when he's playing like this, is very difficult to stop him, no?
I had little bit chances. I was there, but wasn't enough.
Q. On what level did you find it difficult or the most difficult, most demanding, to play against Roger today? Was it on the physical, tactical, or mental level?
RAFAEL NADAL: He played very aggressive. He played great. His serve was good, with good percentage outside in the important moments, wide in the deuce. The forehand was unbelievable. And he was playing really well with the backhand, too, no?
Was difficult to play because he played very close to the baseline, going to the net. He tried to don't play very long points from the baseline, no? He's trying to play inside and play very aggressive. He did well, no? So everything. Roger is probably the more complete player of the world.
When he's playing well, is difficult to find solutions. But for the moment, I found it. I am happy about my match of this afternoon if we think about the global conditions. Was very difficult final for me. I still won a set. So in general I'm very happy about this afternoon.
But I am more happy about all the week. Was a fantastic week for me. Four top-8 players in the same week in a difficult surface for me. So I think never happen that in the past. So that's very good new for me.
Q. How has your rivalry and your relationship with Roger changed over the years?
RAFAEL NADAL: All the time? Another time you want to know?
I think everybody knows about our relationship, no? We have a great relationship all the time, no? Our relationship didn't change a lot since the beginning because was all the time very respectful. The only way the relationship can improve is being closer and closer because we spend more time together, always being in the council, being on court, playing exhibitions together.
Right now we going to have these exhibitions in December, one in Zurich for his foundation, one in Madrid for my foundation.
So I think is not a rivalry. We were playing lot of important moments together. So I think that's makes something like (speaking in Spanish).
THE MODERATOR: All these moments in tennis makes you appreciate it more.
RAFAEL NADAL: We never had any problem in all of our careers. So being a lot of hours on court, a lot of tension moments, never had a problem. I think that's not easy. That says that we always had a really good relationship, no?
Q. Can you tell us what you'll be doing over the next three or four weeks until you play those charity matches.
RAFAEL NADAL: This week I gonna work with the sponsors. I have to do some TV spots. So I have to work almost every day, tomorrow till next Monday. So that's going to be my holidays (laughter).
After that, practice. I gonna start to practice next Monday. Practice as good as I can to be ready for January. That's what I gonna try, try to repeat the same like last year, that I practiced all well in December and I arrived to the beginning of the season with very high level, but without calm to don't win in a long time.
My opinion now, if I arrive with the same level like last year in the beginning of the season, the situation can change, because the calm going to be there after this probably more emotional and good season of my career, no?
Q. This is a time when we're all perhaps a little tired, but we all like to reflect on the year that's gone by. What would you say were the images that most come to your mind when you reflect on 2010?
RAFAEL NADAL: Everything, no? Was a lot of important moments for me during all the season. I think was a very emotional season, no? Was difficult for moments in the beginning, but after a tough time probably, because I had this difficult time, I was able to play with ambition all the season, no? All the time trying to convert the options, the chances to win and keep winning and keep playing well because when you spend 11 months without a victory, when you pass some difficult moments, you really know how difficult is win a tournaments, how difficult is be there, how difficult is be competitive every week.
So when you are there another time, for me the only thing that I was thinking all the time is, Be focused, don't lose this dynamic, don't lose this level, no, because with this level I was feeling I have chances to win in every tournament, no?
In general, was fantastic, no? For me the first two tournaments of the year -- well, first one was Abu Dhabi. Was an exhibition, but everybody wants to play well there. Was fantastic level. In Doha was probably one of the best sets of my career, the first set against Davydenko. So after that I say, Well, I am here. I am playing well another time. I am ready to try to win and compete for the important titles another time.
It happened. Was very hard, very difficult to accept for me the Australian Open injury another time. But I was lucky because I had to stop three weeks, but after that I arrived to Indian Wells and Miami with another time a very high level. That was the key of the season: feel that I was playing really well, but don't win.
So when I started to win the first time, first tournament in Monte-Carlo, everything was more easier, no, because I pulled out all the pressure, all this anxiety. After that I started to play really well. Roland Garros, without losing a set. Wimbledon, very difficult Wimbledon victory, with so many difficult matches, but finally the win. And the US Open the same, no? Don't lose a set before the final.
You must be playing really well to be in two Grand Slam finals without losing a set, no? So in general was a very emotional season for me. I am very happy for everything and just can say thank you very much all the people that support me all the time when I had the difficult moments, when I was winning, all the sponsor that keep having confidence in me, and everybody was seriously really fantastic with me last year.
Q. Obviously you wanted to win this tournament, but you can't complain because this season was absolutely fantastic. Next season you're going to have to work a lot on how you're going to deal with expectations. I know Roger is still there. A lot of the eyes are going to be towards you. A lot of people will think, Is he going to repeat what he's done this season? How are you going to handle this, work mentally to prepare yourself for what's going to come?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, is not the first season of my career. Going to be right now six seasons being in the top two of the ranking. So for me doesn't make any differences if I won three Grand Slams this year or if I won one or two. It happened in the past.
When I start the season, everything starts. You know, I don't think if I have to defend 100,000 points or if I have to defend 1,000 points, no?
In Australia or in Doha when I start the season, I have zero points. So we start from there. First goal is qualification for London next year, and after we will see. For me, every day and every season start, and I gonna work to be ready and be competitive to try to be in the top positions and to compete to keep winning titles.
But the pression for me gonna be the same. When I go to the tournament, going to be the same pression for me to play in Australia than to play in the US Open, doesn't mean if I have to defend 2,000 points or 350 points, because the goal is the same, try to play well, try to compete against everybody, and try to be in the final rounds.
Courtesy: ASAP Sports
Roger Federer - No plans to quit
The 29-year-old overpowered world number one Rafael Nadal 6-3 3-6 6-1 at London's O2 Arena to pocket one million pounds and draw level with Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras for most titles at the season-ending championships.
Federer, who holds 16 Grand Slam crowns and won five tournaments in 2010, indicated he had no plans to call it quits just yet.
"I have no plans at all - stopping, quitting, whatever you want to call it," he said.
"As long as I'm healthy, eager, motivated, which clearly I am. I've played 10 full seasons in my career, nine of them I made the World Tour Finals, so I've always had long and exhausting seasons."
"But I seem to enjoy it and take pleasure out of travelling the world, playing against the best, challenging myself in practice and so forth."
"It's been an amazing career. I hope I can play for many more years. It's a goal anyway, I think it's possible."
Federer saved his best for the final in London as he steamrolled Nadal in the first and third sets to wrap up the win in one hour and 38 minutes.
"I'm really thrilled the way I played all week. To win a fifth time is obviously amazing. I'm very happy to have won such a prestigious tournament. You ask all the top guys, we love this event," the Swiss star said.
"I'm just really happy the way I was able to finish the season in style, playing some of my best tennis, really saving the best for last. I believe I can have another great season in 2011."
After a well-deserved off-season break, Federer will head to Melbourne in January where he will attempt to defend his Australian Open crown - and start on the road back to regaining the world number one ranking.
"I think tennis, the men's game, is at an absolute high right now, with a lot of exciting games being played, with a lot of respect," he said.
"Also, I think having had me and Rafa both make the career Grand Slam already at a young age I think is great for the game. We're obviously playing not only for ourselves and beating the other guys, but also for history. I think there's a lot at stake always in all our matches we play. I think it's wonderful."
"I always knew it was going to be an interesting match (on Sunday). I think we obviously have a huge amount of respect for each other. I admire his game. Today was another great match, I thought, with some fantastic rallies. I know it doesn't take anything away from his great season, because it was magnificent."
Courtesy: Sportal
No excuses from Rafael Nadal
Good lad :) Not sure it would of been the same had the result been reversed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rafael Nadal refused to use fatigue as an excuse on Sunday after his incredible year ended in defeat by Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour Finals.
The 24-year-old world number one played one of the matches of the year to battle past Andy Murray in a three-hour semi-final but he found Federer in sensational form as he went down 6-3 3-6 6-1 in one hour 37 minutes.
"I think is not the right moment to talk about that," Nadal told reporters when asked if he was suffering physically against the 16-times grand slam champion.
"The thing is everybody saw the match yesterday, so everybody's free to think his own opinion.
"But I'm not gonna say I lost the match because I was tired. What I'm gonna say and what I feel is I lost the match because I played against a very good Roger Federer on one of his favourite surfaces. When he's playing like this, it's very difficult to stop him. I had chances, but not enough."
Rather than dwell on his defeat, Nadal preferred to look back on a year he described as the most "emotional" of his career.
After going 11 months without a title he returned to form in Monte Carlo in the Spring, winning on the Riviera clay for a sixth consecutive year, and the confidence flooded back.
From then on he was virtually unstoppable, winning the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back for a second time and completing his career grand slam by winning the U.S. Open.
It was all a stark contrast to 12 months ago at the London finale when he failed to win a set in three matches.
"This was a fantastic week for me," Nadal said. "Beating four top-eight players in the same week on a difficult surface for me. I think that's never happened in the past.
"There have been a lot important moments for me during the season. I think it was a very emotional season.
"There were difficult moments in the beginning, but after a tough time, I was able to play with ambition all the season and I managed to have chances to win and keep winning.
"Once I won the first tournament in Monte Carlo, everything was easier, all the pressure and anxiety left and I started to play really well."
Courtesy: Yahoo
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rafael Nadal refused to use fatigue as an excuse on Sunday after his incredible year ended in defeat by Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour Finals.
The 24-year-old world number one played one of the matches of the year to battle past Andy Murray in a three-hour semi-final but he found Federer in sensational form as he went down 6-3 3-6 6-1 in one hour 37 minutes.
"I think is not the right moment to talk about that," Nadal told reporters when asked if he was suffering physically against the 16-times grand slam champion.
"The thing is everybody saw the match yesterday, so everybody's free to think his own opinion.
"But I'm not gonna say I lost the match because I was tired. What I'm gonna say and what I feel is I lost the match because I played against a very good Roger Federer on one of his favourite surfaces. When he's playing like this, it's very difficult to stop him. I had chances, but not enough."
Rather than dwell on his defeat, Nadal preferred to look back on a year he described as the most "emotional" of his career.
After going 11 months without a title he returned to form in Monte Carlo in the Spring, winning on the Riviera clay for a sixth consecutive year, and the confidence flooded back.
From then on he was virtually unstoppable, winning the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back for a second time and completing his career grand slam by winning the U.S. Open.
It was all a stark contrast to 12 months ago at the London finale when he failed to win a set in three matches.
"This was a fantastic week for me," Nadal said. "Beating four top-eight players in the same week on a difficult surface for me. I think that's never happened in the past.
"There have been a lot important moments for me during the season. I think it was a very emotional season.
"There were difficult moments in the beginning, but after a tough time, I was able to play with ambition all the season and I managed to have chances to win and keep winning.
"Once I won the first tournament in Monte Carlo, everything was easier, all the pressure and anxiety left and I started to play really well."
Courtesy: Yahoo
Rafa loses the World Tour Final :(
Depressed :(
Roger Federer gave Rafael Nadal little chance to mount a challenge in the 22nd meeting between two of the greatest players of all time, winning his fifth season-ending title 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 Sunday.
Federer won an incredible 92 percent of the points played on his first serve in the final of the ATP World Tour Finals, and lost only 13 points on serve in the entire match.
Nadal, the top-ranked Spaniard who won the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open this year, was able to break Federer once in the second set, but he appeared to tire as the match wore on. On Saturday,
Nadal spent more then three hours and three sets beating Andy Murray to reach the final of the tournament
for the first time in his career.
"I know I didn't spoil his vacation after this because he's had an amazing year," Federer said. "A year that any player dreams of."
The win cut Nadal's career record to 14-8 against the second-ranked Swiss. In Grand Slam finals, Nadal is 5-2 against Federer, but Federer has now beaten Nadal all three times they have faced each other in the final tournament of the season.
In the first set Sunday at the O2 Arena, Federer lost only three points on his serve, and broke Nadal once. He then lost five points on serve in both the second and third sets, but four of them came in one game, giving Nadal his only break of the match.
Federer has won a record 16 Grand Slam titles, the last coming at this year's Australian Open. But after ending his semifinal streak at major championships at Roland Garros and then faltering at the last two Grand Slam tournaments, Federer has played some of his best tennis this week in London.
He won all three of his round-robin matches in straight sets, and then swept Novak Djokovic on Saturday to reach the final.
"You played unbelievable all during the week," Nadal said to Federer on court after the match. "So well done for everything."
Roger Federer gave Rafael Nadal little chance to mount a challenge in the 22nd meeting between two of the greatest players of all time, winning his fifth season-ending title 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 Sunday.
Federer won an incredible 92 percent of the points played on his first serve in the final of the ATP World Tour Finals, and lost only 13 points on serve in the entire match.
Nadal, the top-ranked Spaniard who won the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open this year, was able to break Federer once in the second set, but he appeared to tire as the match wore on. On Saturday,
Nadal spent more then three hours and three sets beating Andy Murray to reach the final of the tournament
for the first time in his career.
"I know I didn't spoil his vacation after this because he's had an amazing year," Federer said. "A year that any player dreams of."
The win cut Nadal's career record to 14-8 against the second-ranked Swiss. In Grand Slam finals, Nadal is 5-2 against Federer, but Federer has now beaten Nadal all three times they have faced each other in the final tournament of the season.
In the first set Sunday at the O2 Arena, Federer lost only three points on his serve, and broke Nadal once. He then lost five points on serve in both the second and third sets, but four of them came in one game, giving Nadal his only break of the match.
Federer has won a record 16 Grand Slam titles, the last coming at this year's Australian Open. But after ending his semifinal streak at major championships at Roland Garros and then faltering at the last two Grand Slam tournaments, Federer has played some of his best tennis this week in London.
He won all three of his round-robin matches in straight sets, and then swept Novak Djokovic on Saturday to reach the final.
"You played unbelievable all during the week," Nadal said to Federer on court after the match. "So well done for everything."
Rafa Nadal's press conference photos
A few photos from the press conference following Rafa's semi final win over Andy Murray.
I love his facial expressions!
I love his facial expressions!
Federer "scaling new height" says Djokovic
Roger Federer began 2010 in devastating fashion and is ending it in unstoppable fashion too, according to Novak Djokovic who was thrashed by the Swiss in the semi-fnals of the ATP World Tour Finals on Saturday.
The Swiss made light work of world number three Djokovic with 31 winners during a 6-1 6-4 victory that set up a dream final against Rafael Nadal, with both players gunning for the $1.6 million jackpot for an undefeated champion.
Federer did not drop a set in his round-robin victories over world number seven David Ferrer, number five Andy Murray and number four Robin Soderling but he went up another level against the unfortunate Djokovic.
"Every ball kind of listens to him," Serbia's Djokovic, who can now concentrate on next week's Davis Cup final against France, told reporters. "I think he was playing unbelievable from the first moment.
"He was playing smart. He was coming in. He didn't give me any time to try to get into the match. In just half an hour, it was already 6-1."
The 29-year-old Federer, bidding for a record-equalling fifth title at the year-ending showpiece, produced a Saturday night feast for the 17,500-capacity crowd at London's O2 Arena.
Djokovic was troubled by his contact lenses during a group phase defeat by Nadal, complaining after that it was impossible to play the Spaniard with one eye.
He would have needed eyes in the back of his head to keep track of the winners that flew off Federer's racket.
The writing was on the wall for Djokovic when he dropped his first service game and he never really recovered despite a brief fightback against the Swiss who won this year's Australian Open but who has since been overshadowed by Nadal.
Federer trailed 0-3 in the second set but that just provided a platform for the 16-times grand slam champion to unleash his full arsenal as he won six of the next seven games with a series of irresistible winners.
He sealed victory with another graceful swish of his right arm to send a service winner whizzing past his opponent.
Earlier, Nadal fought his way past Britain's Andy Murray in a three-hour tussle and Federer will start as favourite in Sunday's final which will be only the second time the two players have met this year.
Courtesy: Yahoo
The Swiss made light work of world number three Djokovic with 31 winners during a 6-1 6-4 victory that set up a dream final against Rafael Nadal, with both players gunning for the $1.6 million jackpot for an undefeated champion.
Federer did not drop a set in his round-robin victories over world number seven David Ferrer, number five Andy Murray and number four Robin Soderling but he went up another level against the unfortunate Djokovic.
"Every ball kind of listens to him," Serbia's Djokovic, who can now concentrate on next week's Davis Cup final against France, told reporters. "I think he was playing unbelievable from the first moment.
"He was playing smart. He was coming in. He didn't give me any time to try to get into the match. In just half an hour, it was already 6-1."
The 29-year-old Federer, bidding for a record-equalling fifth title at the year-ending showpiece, produced a Saturday night feast for the 17,500-capacity crowd at London's O2 Arena.
Djokovic was troubled by his contact lenses during a group phase defeat by Nadal, complaining after that it was impossible to play the Spaniard with one eye.
He would have needed eyes in the back of his head to keep track of the winners that flew off Federer's racket.
The writing was on the wall for Djokovic when he dropped his first service game and he never really recovered despite a brief fightback against the Swiss who won this year's Australian Open but who has since been overshadowed by Nadal.
Federer trailed 0-3 in the second set but that just provided a platform for the 16-times grand slam champion to unleash his full arsenal as he won six of the next seven games with a series of irresistible winners.
He sealed victory with another graceful swish of his right arm to send a service winner whizzing past his opponent.
Earlier, Nadal fought his way past Britain's Andy Murray in a three-hour tussle and Federer will start as favourite in Sunday's final which will be only the second time the two players have met this year.
Courtesy: Yahoo
Rafael Nadal is "mentally fresh" for the final
Rafael Nadal has reached his first title match at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
Rafael Nadal insisted on Saturday he is "mentally fresh" after he beat Andy Murray 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(6) at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
"I played very well," said the World No. 1, who will look to lift his eighth tour-level trophy of a career-best season on Sunday. "I think I [am] play[ing] better than ever on this surface. I am fresh mentally.
"When you play indoors against the best players of the world, [there] are more specialists than me. You can play defensive for moments, but you have to come back to the attack. If you're not playing really well, it's impossible.
"For that reason, I say [this] is the most difficult tournament for me to win - not only for the surface [but] for the opponents, too. I am lucky I played really well and I am in the final."
Nadal, who required three hours and 11 minutes to beat Murray, praised his opponent after their 13th meeting (Nadal 9-4).
“It was a fantastic match,” he said. “I am very happy to beat a great champion like Andy. For me [it] is an amazing victory. I am very happy for everything because was a really difficult match against one of the best players of the world.
“His level is unbelievable almost always. If he plays like this, I don't have any doubt he going to have big chances to win very important titles.
“He's [a] very talented player because he can do everything. His serve for moments was unstoppable. His defence was unbelievable. He's very fast. He sees the ball very quick, before the rest of the players I think.”
Nadal has a 71-9 match record on the season, highlighted by three Grand Slam championship titles at Roland Garros (d. Soderling), Wimbledon (d. Berdych) and the US Open (d. Djokovic).
He is the first Spaniard to reach the title match at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals since David Ferrer in 2007.
Courtesy: ATP
Rafael Nadal insisted on Saturday he is "mentally fresh" after he beat Andy Murray 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(6) at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
"I played very well," said the World No. 1, who will look to lift his eighth tour-level trophy of a career-best season on Sunday. "I think I [am] play[ing] better than ever on this surface. I am fresh mentally.
"When you play indoors against the best players of the world, [there] are more specialists than me. You can play defensive for moments, but you have to come back to the attack. If you're not playing really well, it's impossible.
"For that reason, I say [this] is the most difficult tournament for me to win - not only for the surface [but] for the opponents, too. I am lucky I played really well and I am in the final."
Nadal, who required three hours and 11 minutes to beat Murray, praised his opponent after their 13th meeting (Nadal 9-4).
“It was a fantastic match,” he said. “I am very happy to beat a great champion like Andy. For me [it] is an amazing victory. I am very happy for everything because was a really difficult match against one of the best players of the world.
“His level is unbelievable almost always. If he plays like this, I don't have any doubt he going to have big chances to win very important titles.
“He's [a] very talented player because he can do everything. His serve for moments was unstoppable. His defence was unbelievable. He's very fast. He sees the ball very quick, before the rest of the players I think.”
Nadal has a 71-9 match record on the season, highlighted by three Grand Slam championship titles at Roland Garros (d. Soderling), Wimbledon (d. Berdych) and the US Open (d. Djokovic).
He is the first Spaniard to reach the title match at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals since David Ferrer in 2007.
Courtesy: ATP
Rafael Nadal's semi final press conference
Here is Rafa's PC after reaching the final of the World Tour Finals. It switches to Andy half way though
Courtesy: meko1686
Courtesy: meko1686
Rafael Nadal into the World Tour Final
The Scot started well as he fired down seven aces in his opening four service games of the first set, losing only four points in the process. Having a chance in a Nadal service game was a different challenge altogether, but Murray was certainly making the world No1 work to stay on level terms.
Neither player was prepared to give an inch and, momentary confusion about the score in the ninth game aside, the set proceeded smoothly all the way to the tie-break.
The quality from both players was extremely high but it was Nadal who made the first move, exploiting a short Murray forehand to take a 3-1 lead.
The Scot was not finished, though, and he retrieved the mini-break with a backhand volley winner at the end of a titanic rally to make it 5-5.
Nadal composed himself to engineer the first set point, and he took it with a sublime volley despite the best efforts of Murray, who really had played a terrific set.
A good start to the second set was vital for Murray, who had never previously come from a set down to beat Nadal, but instead his level dropped and he found himself facing two break points – the first of the match.
Now was the time for the Scot to show his fighting spirit, and he did, with a brave second serve saving one before a backhand winner took care of the second.
The crowd sensed that could prove a big moment, and Murray got to 15-30 for only the second time in the match in the third game, but again Nadal was rock-solid.
The Spaniard was troubling Murray continually with serves into the fifth seed's body, and his frustration was evident as he searched for a way through.
But this was not the Murray who sometimes allows his negative emotions to take over, he was focused and determined, and in the seventh game he got his chance.
A gift from Nadal was followed by two terrific points from the home hope to take him to 0-40. But the bigger the moment, the better the Spaniard plays.
An unbelievable forehand flick off a decent Murray drop shot saved the first break point, and the Spaniard was just too good on the remaining ones as well.
It was not over, though. Nadal overcooked a backhand to give Murray a third chance, and this time he took it, leaving his opponent standing with a searing cross-court backhand.
The crowd had been split at the start but there was no doubt who they were supporting now, and suddenly it was Nadal who looked rattled and a little flat-footed.
Serving to stay in the set at 3-5, the Spaniard was left helpless as Murray blasted his way to 15-40 and then drilled a backhand winner cross-court to level the match.
But it was in a dramatic third set that the Spaniard broke through to the final. In an exciting match-winning tie break, Nadal beat Murray who appeared to have suffered a late injury.
Courtesy: Guardian
Rafael Nadal semi final photos Part 2
More photo from Rafa's sem final win over Andy Murray.
GO RAFA!!!!
GO RAFA!!!!
Rafael Nadal - Friday's "Hot Shot"
A Tennis TV video of Rafa against Tomas Berdych
http://www.tennistv.com/page/Video/0,,11444~1703688,00.html
http://www.tennistv.com/page/Video/0,,11444~1703688,00.html
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