Fremen
Louie
Yinette PerezNadal free ride to semis
June 9th 2006 12:17
From Barnaby Chesterman in Paris
June 08, 2006
RAFAEL Nadal advanced to the semi-finals of the French Open after Serbia teen Novak Djokovic withdrew injured when trailing two sets to love overnight.
The 20-year-old Spaniard extended his winning streak on clay to 58 matches after his opponent retired trailing 6-4 6-4.
The defending champion will face fourth seed Ivan Ljubicic in the last four after the 2005 Davis Cup winner strolled past unseeded Frenchman Julien Benneteau 6-2 6-2 6-3.
Wilting under the sun, Djokovic looked bothered by his back after serves when trailing 3-0 in the second set and also turned his ankle when he fell over.
The 19-year-old from Belgrade had admitted, after defeating France's Gael Monfils in the last 16, he was a spent force.
"I had a couple of chances to win my first game (of the second set) and then I felt pain in my back," said the Serbian. "I was fighting till the end but I just couldn't hold on anymore. It would not have done me any good to continue playing with pain in my back."
Nadal had a word of sympathy for his beaten rival.
"This tournament is very hard, the matches are very long and that can take its toll," he said. "I was surprised because I saw he had some problems in the second set but he was still playing well. In the third I saw him serve a little bit slowler and then on the third point I was surprised because he said stop."
Playing Nadal is hardly the tonic for a weakened state.
The clay sensation will have found this shortened run-out a welcome break, having spent four hours more on court than main rival Roger Federer in reaching the last eight.
"Now I can play the semi-final with more confidence," said Nadal. "I don't feel tired, I was good, I lost a bit of concentration in the second with his problems because I didn't understand that. Every time he served he put his hand on his back but then he played good points. I lost concentration."
Nadal was quickly into his running against his nervous teen, breaking Djokovic's first two service games before serving out the first set.
Djokovic failed to hold any of his first three service games in the secind and although he broke two of Nadal's first three, he again came up short.
The third set lasted only three points before a dejected-looking Djokovic ambled to the net with his head hung low to congratulate his vanquisher.
Nadal allowed himself a brief moment afterwards to look ahead to a potential final with world No.1 Federer, who must overcome Masters Cup champion David Nalbandian in the semi-final.
Asked who he thought the favourite for that was, Nadal replied: "Who is the No.1? He is the favourite but for sure Nalbandian can beat him."
But first he must overcome the rapidly improving Ljubicic, who has surprised even himself with his run to the last four on clay.
The big-serving Croatian dominated the home player after a brief struggle when Beeneteau seemed inspired by the occasion.
Benneteau broke Ljubicic in the fourth seed's opening two service games, but only held serve himself once in the first two sets as he was quickly overwhelmed in just over two-and-a-quarter hours.
Ljubicic smashed down 13 aces as he progressed with minimal fuss, although a far sterner test awaits him tomorrow.
"I dont think there's any doubt that he (Nadal) is the big favourite, not only for the semi-final but in the final as well. Of the four left he's the favourite, then Roger, David and me," said Ljubicic.
"Just by reaching the semi-final I did something incredible so there is zero pressure on me on Friday.
"I am definitely going to have a chance and if I take those chances, I can win."
*article copyright www.news.com.au. All rights reserved.*
*photo of Rafael Nadal from www.corbis.com. Copyright, used with permission, all rights reserved.*
June 08, 2006
RAFAEL Nadal advanced to the semi-finals of the French Open after Serbia teen Novak Djokovic withdrew injured when trailing two sets to love overnight.
The 20-year-old Spaniard extended his winning streak on clay to 58 matches after his opponent retired trailing 6-4 6-4.
The defending champion will face fourth seed Ivan Ljubicic in the last four after the 2005 Davis Cup winner strolled past unseeded Frenchman Julien Benneteau 6-2 6-2 6-3.
Wilting under the sun, Djokovic looked bothered by his back after serves when trailing 3-0 in the second set and also turned his ankle when he fell over.
The 19-year-old from Belgrade had admitted, after defeating France's Gael Monfils in the last 16, he was a spent force.
"I had a couple of chances to win my first game (of the second set) and then I felt pain in my back," said the Serbian. "I was fighting till the end but I just couldn't hold on anymore. It would not have done me any good to continue playing with pain in my back."
Nadal had a word of sympathy for his beaten rival.
"This tournament is very hard, the matches are very long and that can take its toll," he said. "I was surprised because I saw he had some problems in the second set but he was still playing well. In the third I saw him serve a little bit slowler and then on the third point I was surprised because he said stop."
Playing Nadal is hardly the tonic for a weakened state.
The clay sensation will have found this shortened run-out a welcome break, having spent four hours more on court than main rival Roger Federer in reaching the last eight.
"Now I can play the semi-final with more confidence," said Nadal. "I don't feel tired, I was good, I lost a bit of concentration in the second with his problems because I didn't understand that. Every time he served he put his hand on his back but then he played good points. I lost concentration."
Nadal was quickly into his running against his nervous teen, breaking Djokovic's first two service games before serving out the first set.
Djokovic failed to hold any of his first three service games in the secind and although he broke two of Nadal's first three, he again came up short.
The third set lasted only three points before a dejected-looking Djokovic ambled to the net with his head hung low to congratulate his vanquisher.
Nadal allowed himself a brief moment afterwards to look ahead to a potential final with world No.1 Federer, who must overcome Masters Cup champion David Nalbandian in the semi-final.
Asked who he thought the favourite for that was, Nadal replied: "Who is the No.1? He is the favourite but for sure Nalbandian can beat him."
But first he must overcome the rapidly improving Ljubicic, who has surprised even himself with his run to the last four on clay.
The big-serving Croatian dominated the home player after a brief struggle when Beeneteau seemed inspired by the occasion.
Benneteau broke Ljubicic in the fourth seed's opening two service games, but only held serve himself once in the first two sets as he was quickly overwhelmed in just over two-and-a-quarter hours.
Ljubicic smashed down 13 aces as he progressed with minimal fuss, although a far sterner test awaits him tomorrow.
"I dont think there's any doubt that he (Nadal) is the big favourite, not only for the semi-final but in the final as well. Of the four left he's the favourite, then Roger, David and me," said Ljubicic.
"Just by reaching the semi-final I did something incredible so there is zero pressure on me on Friday.
"I am definitely going to have a chance and if I take those chances, I can win."
*article copyright www.news.com.au. All rights reserved.*
*photo of Rafael Nadal from www.corbis.com. Copyright, used with permission, all rights reserved.*
| 57 |
| Vote |
