DEFENDING champion Rafael Nadal continued to look
more like his old self as he crushed Czech Tomas Berdych 7-6 (3), 6-1
to reach the Madrid Masters final yesterday.
The home favorite, bidding for a third consecutive Madrid title but still searching for his best form, will face either Scot Andy Murray or Kei Nishikori of Japan in the final.
Chasing a fifth title overall at the claycourt event in the Spanish capital, third seed Nadal edged a tight first set before turning the screw in the second to exact revenge for a straight-sets defeat to the Czech sixth seed in this year’s Australian Open quarterfinals.
Nadal had won 17 consecutive matches against Berdych before losing to the world No. 7 in Melbourne and restored his dominance with a solid display that included a series of forehand winners.
The Mallorcan is the favorite to claim the title after world No. 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia decided to miss the event to rest and Swiss maestro Roger Federer, who took over from the Serb as top seed, fell to Australian Nick Kyrgios in the second round.
The home favorite, bidding for a third consecutive Madrid title but still searching for his best form, will face either Scot Andy Murray or Kei Nishikori of Japan in the final.
Chasing a fifth title overall at the claycourt event in the Spanish capital, third seed Nadal edged a tight first set before turning the screw in the second to exact revenge for a straight-sets defeat to the Czech sixth seed in this year’s Australian Open quarterfinals.
Nadal had won 17 consecutive matches against Berdych before losing to the world No. 7 in Melbourne and restored his dominance with a solid display that included a series of forehand winners.
The Mallorcan is the favorite to claim the title after world No. 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia decided to miss the event to rest and Swiss maestro Roger Federer, who took over from the Serb as top seed, fell to Australian Nick Kyrgios in the second round.
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