Nadal extends Monte Carlo run as Federer falls
by Scott Williams
TENNIS: MONTE CARLO, Monaco, April 16 (AFP) - Top seed Rafael Nadal
won his 35th consecutive match at the Monte Carlo Masters by crushing
Ivan Ljubicic 6-1, 6-3 on Friday to set up a repeat semi-final with
resurgent Andy Murray.
Murray has recovered from a four-match losing streak to record third
victories in the principality.
The Scot put out Portugal's Frederico Gil 6-2, 6-1 to reach his
second semi-final in the last three tournaments here.
He lost to Nadal at the same stage in 2009.
"We both played well in the second set," said the Scot. "I had
started to find the right way to play against him.
"I got close, but I have to play better than that if I want to win.
"I always enjoy playing on clay, but I've never felt confident with
my movement here. Now I'm feeling a lot better. "I played well in my
three matches, it's a great start to the clay season. I have to play
well if I'm to get a win against Rafa."
Like Roger Federer, who was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by Jurgen Melzer, Nadal
was tested by windy conditions.
"It was a very difficult day to play tennis," said the Spaniard, who
is seeking a seventh straight trophy in the event. "There was a lot of
wind changing directions all the time.
"It was a positive victory for me. I had to adjust a lot the shots
today. It was very difficult. But in general, I didn't have mistakes."
Melzer, a straight-sets loser to Federer three times last season,
will play his semi-final against Spanish fourth seed David Ferrer, who
beat Serb Viktor Troicki 6-3, 6-3.
Nadal improved to a phenomenal 37-1 record at the venue, with his
only loss coming to Guillermo Coria on his debut in 2003.
Former world number three Ljubicic had lost four straight matches
prior to this week, but bounced back by beating 12th seed Jo-Wilfried
Tsonga and number five seed Tomas Berdych.
Federer, a three-time losing finalist to Nadal between 2006 and 2008,
was well off his best form after two superlative matches this week in
the principality. The Swiss great was quick to admit that he had been
outplayed on the day as he missed too many chances.
"I don't think I played terrible. It's still the first week of clay,
so I don't expect myself to play my very best," he said.
"He played well when he had to and I missed too many chances. Every
time I had this slight opening, things didn't go my way. Either he
shanks them and they stay in play, or he hits the line.
"I try to do something, I miss by a little bit. All those things
accumulate to something quite frustrating. That's what made it hard.
"But he did well, played aggressive and played the right way he was
supposed to."
Melzer played in some pain after leaving the court with just one game
completed to have treatment on a neck problem.
But he came out a changed man, who took control against the 16-time
Grand Slam-winner.
"I felt it when I played a backhand, it kind of blocked my spine,"
said Melzer. "But the physio did a great job unblocking it.
"I was a little worried. But then the pain went away quickly, it
didn't bother me at all."
The Austrian also said he was pleased to have finally defeated
Federer.
"I beat Rafa last year (in Shanghai). I have beaten Nole (Djokovic,
in the French Open quarter-finals). So this was the one missing. I'm
very happy I actually did it today.
"It was a tough match for me. He beat me three times last year and I
didn't even win a set. But many things went well for me, my shots worked
well. When he had break points I was calm and served well."I did well on
the big points and played my game."
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