TENNIS in DEPTH.

The first two sets were enthralling with both players producing some outrageous shots before Nadal picked up his game and ran away with the decider in a match lasting just under three hours. However, at one point it was questionable whether Murray would even be able to start the game when he required injections for an arm injury which was causing him pain when he served, and there was a lengthy delay. Nadal got the match under way but Murray brought up double break point with a cross-court shot which Nadal put into the net, the Spaniard again netting for the Scot to claim a break in the first game. However, a Murray volley at the net which went wide gave Nadal a chance to break straight back, the response immediate as Murray netted a return and after holding he then broke for 3-1. After holding serve, Murray then moved to triple break point in the seventh game.

Nadal held for Murray to serve to stay in the set but the Scot put a backhand into the net to seal the set 6-4 in Nadal’s favour.

The third set saw Nadal break back for a 3-0 lead after which Murray had to have treatment on his right arm. Nadal had been clearly second best in the previous set but he picked his game up with some brutal shots as Murray faltered. Murray broke for 4-1 but Nadal hit straight back and he eased to triple match point, Murray going long as the defending champion set up a final against Ferrer. The first semi-final was far more straightforward, Ferrer enjoying a commanding 6-3 6-2 victory over Jurgen Melzer. Melzer had reached the last four by knocking out former world number one Roger Federer in straight sets but there was to be no repeat on Saturday.

Bookmark It