Nadal reaches quarterfinals of US Open.

[huevonkiller]

Nadal tested at US Open, reaches quarterfinals

By BEN WALKER, AP National Writer 38 minutes ago


NEW YORK (AP)—Rafael Nadal withstood his first test at this U.S. Open, shifting into another gear to beat Sam Querrey 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (2), 6-3 Monday and match his best result at the tournament that’s always bedeviled him.

Playing for the sixth year at Flushing Meadows, the No. 1 Nadal rallied to reach the quarterfinals. He got quite a workout—and a scare—from his unseeded, 20-year-old opponent.

“Very tough,” Nadal said. “Sam is a big player, a big server. He has a great future.”

Down 6-5 in the third set, Nadal suddenly flashed the form that won at Wimbledon, the French Open and the Olympics. Hitting harder, grunting louder and moving in closer, he quickly forced a tiebreaker and jumped to celebrate.

Nadal won the final four points to take the tiebreaker and later served out the match.

Ranked 55th, Querrey gave a solid show and became the first player to take a set from Nadal at this Open.

A bit jittery at the start, the 6-foot-6 Querrey boomed 20 aces and showed no fear, trading big shots with Nadal all match long. He drew a standing ovation at the end for his effort, and smiled broadly.

“Came up a little short. The guy’s too good,” Querrey said.

Nadal next plays unseeded Mardy Fish, who reached the quarterfinals at the U.S. Open for the first time with a 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 win over No. 32 Gael Monfils.

Playing in his ninth U.S. Open and coming off his upset over James Blake, Fish kept busy as his wedding approaches. He will marry “Deal or No Deal” model Stacey Gardner on Sept. 28—she watched from his private box, minus her shiny No. 2 briefcase.

“I desperately wanted to play well here,” he said. “Desperately.”

Sixth-seeded Dinara Safina also made it into the quarters, beating Anna-Lena Groenefeld 7-5, 6-0. No. 16 Flavia Pennetta won, defeating No. 32 Amelie Maursemo 6-3, 6-0.

Venus Williams was set to play by day and Serena Williams was ready at night. If they both win, the sisters will next meet in the quarterfinals.

Fish matched the best Grand Slam result of his career, having reached the quarters at the 2007 Australian Open. Ranked as high as No. 17 in 2004, the 26-year-old Fish has worked three years to recover from an injured wrist that required extensive surgery.

Fish waved to his private box after match point. The entourage included his father, Tom, who celebrated his birthday. No such fun for Monfils, who turned 22 Monday.

Safina coasted home after a close first set. She equaled her best result at Flushing Meadows, and kept up the best season of her career.

Safina reached the final at the French Open and later won 15 straight matches before losing the Elena Dementieva in the gold-medal match at the Olympics.

Source: Associated Press

 

[umair]

That was a heck of a game! In the 3rd set, I had a feeling that Querrey would pull the upset but Nadal went into beast mode and just took over from there. I'm still rooting for Djokovic to take it all! GO NOLE!

 

[Colonel Ronan]

He must be the favorite.

 

[huevonkiller]

I'm definitely rooting for Nadal.

 

[CelticKing]

I'm rooting for Djokovic, as his dad was born in Kosovo.


Yeah baby. haha

 

[M Two One]

I'm rooting for Djokovic, as his dad was born in Kosovo.


Yeah baby. haha

I am as well. He's my favorite player.

 

[CelticKing]

I am as well. He's my favorite player.

That's great man.

He was actually there about 3 months ago visiting Mitrovica. Very good kid and down to earth.

 

[M Two One]

That's great man.

He was actually there about 3 months ago visiting Mitrovica. Very good kid and down to earth.

I didn't know he visited recently, but I did know he's down to Earth. A lot of people have gained a poor impression of him because of his strong charismatic personality. But he really just enjoys making people laugh.

 

[Colonel Ronan]

Anymore news on this?

 

[M Two One]

Roddick v Nole tonight at 7PM (est)

Fish lost to Nadal

Murray defeated del Potro

Federer v Muller today at 2PM (est)

 

[huevonkiller]

Nadal comes back after losing 1st set to beat Fish

13 hours, 52 minutes ago


NEW YORK (AP)—It sure took a while, but Rafael Nadal is a U.S. Open semifinalist.

The No. 1-ranked Nadal beat unseeded American Mardy Fish 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, getting past the quarterfinals for the first time in six trips to Flushing Meadows with a victory that ended with the scoreboard showing 2:10 a.m. Thursday, making it the third-latest finish in tournament history.

“This is one of the things that we players discuss all the time. There should be a limit on when to start. But we know that the TV rules in this,” Nadal said.

“I think I’m going to end up sleeping at 5 a.m. I’ve got to go eat. With all the attention on the match, it takes a while to unwind. There’s nothing else you can do.”

Fish took the opening set on the strength of a 23-6 edge in winners, some gutsy serving and one service break. But Nadal never faced a break point the rest of the way.

They approached the latest finish in the tournament’s history—Mats Wilander defeated Mikael Pernfors at 2:26 a.m. in 1993.

“It’s not ideal starting that late, but I was ready,” Fish said. “The first set couldn’t have gone better for me.”

Nadal, who has won four titles at the French Open and one at Wimbledon, now will face first-time Grand Slam semifinalist Andy Murray. The No. 6 seed beat No. 17 Juan Martin del Potro 7-6 (2), 7-6 (1), 4-6, 7-5.

Source: Associated Press

 

[huevonkiller]

Wow, Djokovic was pissed after his Andy Roddick match. He turned the crowd against him in the late game interview.

He thought Roddick was accusing him of faking injuries, so he let loose a bit and I was totally surprised. I don't think he needed to be that pissed.

The Semifinals are Nadal vs Murray, and Djokovic vs Federer.

 

[M Two One]

Roddick is a sore loser making statements like, just like Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was about Nole's serve preparation. I don't blame him for being pissed, but I'm honestly not sure how bad it was as I didn't get to see that part because I had to go back to work.

 

[huevonkiller]

Roddick is a sore loser making statements like, just like Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was about Nole's serve preparation. I don't blame him for being pissed, but I'm honestly not sure how bad it was as I didn't get to see that part because I had to go back to work.

Yeah I'm not offended or anything, I just thought Roddick was joking. I'm not sure though.

 

[bbwchingy0007]

Massive tassk for Andy Murray today, unless Nadal gets injured I can't see Murray winning. He does seem to thrive on drama though; at Wimbledon he came from 2 sets and a break down against a French dude and beat him, and he beat some guy from two sets down at the US Open. I, for one, hope Murray goes 2 sets down. OR NOT.

 

[umair]

I hope Djokovic wins, I really don't want to see another Nadal vs. Federer match!

 

[M Two One]

I wouldn't be all too surprised if Murray pulls off the upset. He's been really turning it on over the past few months and even though it will take a hell of a game to defeat Nadal I think he has a chance.

Right now, my safe choice is Nadal v Nole in the final.

 

[huevonkiller]

I wouldn't be all too surprised if Murray pulls off the upset. He's been really turning it on over the past few months and even though it will take a hell of a game to defeat Nadal I think he has a chance.

Right now, my safe choice is Nadal v Nole in the final.

Federer won, but it is looking horrific for Nadal right now. He just lost a tie-breaker set to Murray and is down 2 sets.

He's going to need close to a miracle to get out of this one...

 

[M Two One]

I'd like to see Murray win it all. Will be a nice close to this season's Grand Slams.