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Berdych powers to Nadal victory | Berdych powers to Nadal victory |
(1 day later) | |
Tomas Berdych caused a surprise with a straight-sets win over world number two Rafael Nadal to reach the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters. | Tomas Berdych caused a surprise with a straight-sets win over world number two Rafael Nadal to reach the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters. |
The 21-year-old Czech number one silenced the partisan crowd with a 6-3 7-6 victory for his third consecutive win over the Spaniard. | The 21-year-old Czech number one silenced the partisan crowd with a 6-3 7-6 victory for his third consecutive win over the Spaniard. |
He will play Chile's Fernando Gonzalez in the last four after the 10th seed beat Serb Novak Djokovic 7-5 5-7 7-5. | He will play Chile's Fernando Gonzalez in the last four after the 10th seed beat Serb Novak Djokovic 7-5 5-7 7-5. |
David Nalbandian meets world number one Roger Federer in the other semi-final. | David Nalbandian meets world number one Roger Federer in the other semi-final. |
Berdych was in superb form, holding his serve with confidence and then taking his opportunities to break his opponent. | Berdych was in superb form, holding his serve with confidence and then taking his opportunities to break his opponent. |
I can play better and have been with every round of the tournament David Nalbandian | I can play better and have been with every round of the tournament David Nalbandian |
The 21-year-old, who beat sixth-seed Andy Roddick on his way to the quarters, looked on target for another win when he eased his way to the first set. | The 21-year-old, who beat sixth-seed Andy Roddick on his way to the quarters, looked on target for another win when he eased his way to the first set. |
The 10,000 strong crowd got behind Nadal in the second set, but Berdych kept his cool to keep up the pressure and win through after a nail-biting tie-break. | The 10,000 strong crowd got behind Nadal in the second set, but Berdych kept his cool to keep up the pressure and win through after a nail-biting tie-break. |
Berdych left the court to jeers after putting his finger to his lips in a silencing motion. | |
"I can understand they want him to win the match and the tournament, but this is not a Davis Cup where you can expect this - not in this tournament," said trhe Czech. | |
Nadal responded: "When I played him in the Czech Republic, the crowd was the same and I didn't say anything. | |
"If you play against a local player, that's normal, that's good for tennis because the public supports you." | |
I'm very proud to have walked off the court 80 times as a winner and only five as a loser - it means a lot Roger Federer | |
Argentine Nalbandian, who put out Britain's Tim Henman in the previous round, had to battle all the way before beating Marat Safin 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (7-2). | Argentine Nalbandian, who put out Britain's Tim Henman in the previous round, had to battle all the way before beating Marat Safin 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (7-2). |
Top seed Federer saw off a spirited challenge from American Robby Ginepri 6-3 7-6 (7-4) for his 17th consecutive victory - his 80th of the year. | Top seed Federer saw off a spirited challenge from American Robby Ginepri 6-3 7-6 (7-4) for his 17th consecutive victory - his 80th of the year. |
Nalbandian broke serve early in the first set but was pegged back three times in the second, with Safin taking his fourth set point in the tie-break. | Nalbandian broke serve early in the first set but was pegged back three times in the second, with Safin taking his fourth set point in the tie-break. |
Safin broke in game 11 of the decider and served for the match but Nalbandian levelled and dominated the tie-break. | Safin broke in game 11 of the decider and served for the match but Nalbandian levelled and dominated the tie-break. |
It is the third straight year that Nalbandian has reached the last four in Madrid. | It is the third straight year that Nalbandian has reached the last four in Madrid. |
"I pushed very hard, and it wasn't the best way to do it, but I'm happy with the win," he said after seeing off Safin. | "I pushed very hard, and it wasn't the best way to do it, but I'm happy with the win," he said after seeing off Safin. |
"I can play better and have been with every round of the tournament. But the semi-final will be tough." | "I can play better and have been with every round of the tournament. But the semi-final will be tough." |
Despite being edged out, Safin said he was "more happy than frustrated" because of his recent good run of form. | Despite being edged out, Safin said he was "more happy than frustrated" because of his recent good run of form. |
"I've been playing some great matches," the Russian said. | "I've been playing some great matches," the Russian said. |
"Before the US Open I was 104th, now I'm fighting for the Top 30. | "Before the US Open I was 104th, now I'm fighting for the Top 30. |
"I've made all these points in the last four-and-a-half months and I hope I can be seeded in the Australian Open." | "I've made all these points in the last four-and-a-half months and I hope I can be seeded in the Australian Open." |
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