Nadal, Murray Complete All-Star U.S. Open Semi-Finals
Defending champion Rafael Nadal and world number four Andy Murray guaranteed a U.S. Open Super Saturday line-up on Friday, completing an all-star, top-four lockout of the semi-final places.
Second seed Nadal cruised past 2003 champion Andy Roddick, the American 21st seed, 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 and will tackle Murray for a place in Monday's final.
Murray, the fourth seed, became just the seventh man to feature in all four Grand Slam semi-finals in the same year when he thwarted big-serving American John Isner, the 28th seed, 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/2).
Top seed Novak Djokovic, who will also be playing in his fourth Grand Slam semi-final of 2011, will face five-time champion Roger Federer, the third seed, in Saturday's other semi-final.
Nadal pulled off his seventh win in 10 meetings against Roddick and was untroubled as the 29-year-old American was slowed by a left thigh injury which twice needed treatment and the all-court dominance of the Spaniard.
Nadal, who became the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam when he won here last year, will be playing in his fourth successive U.S. Open semi-final and will be buoyed by having defeated Murray in the semi-finals at the French Open and Wimbledon.
"It's always a pleasure to face Andy Murray. He is one of the most talented players on the tour. He beat me here in 2008 when he reached the final. It'll be an exciting match and a big challenge," said Nadal, who has yet to drop a set on his way to the semi-finals.
Murray, who is vying to become the first British man since 1936 to win a Grand Slam title, said he thinks he can contend on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts despite trailing Nadal 12-4 in career meetings.
"I think on the American hard courts it's a close, close matchup," he said.
Djokovic, who has already won the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles this year, made sure of his semi-final place on Thursday when Serbian teammate Janko Tipsarevic quit with an injury with the top seed 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (3/7), 6-0, 3-0 to the good.
Federer eased past Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 to gain revenge for his shock Wimbledon quarter-final defeat to the Frenchman.
The 30-year-old Federer, who holds a record 16 Grand Slam titles, has every right to be confident going into Saturday's showdown.
His French Open semi-final victory over Djokovic in June brought an end to the Serb's stunning 43-match winning run, a streak which stretched back to December 2010 when he led his country to a maiden Davis Cup.
Despite Djokovic having lost just one further time, the Swiss star believes he has the weapons to repeat his Roland Garros heroics.
"It's pretty straightforward. I think we're both going to play aggressive. He's moving well. He's probably taken his game up to a higher level, but mostly in terms of confidence," said Federer.
"But I think when we do play against each other it's always exciting. We have great rallies. I like playing against him because it's a battle of the baseline.
"He's been having an amazing season, so it's a challenge right now in the men's game. That's what I like, who I like to play against."
Federer holds a 14-9 winning record over Djokovic and Saturday' semi-final will be the pair's fourth successive meeting at the last-four stage at Flushing Meadows.
Djokovic won last year's clash, saving two match points in a five-set thriller on his way to an eventual runner-up finish against Nadal.
Federer had won in 2008 and 2009 as well as comfortably seeing off Djokovic in the 2007 final when the Serb was far from the finished product that now dominates the men's game.
This will be their fifth meeting of 2011 and third in a Grand Slam semi-final.
Djokovic, who has 62 wins against two defeats all year, said his only concern was starting too slowly against Federer.
"I think I need to step on the court and just be close to the line, be more aggressive," he said.
"I think the last two matches I have been starting very slow. I'm very passive."
Source: Agence France Presse
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