Rafa lines up clash with Fed

Apr 27 2008

MIGHTY Rafael Nadal continued his stunning run of results at the Monte Carlo Masters with a 6-3, 6-2 semi-final win over Nikolay Davydenko yesterday.

The Spaniard is the three-time defending champion and made it 21 victories on the spin at the event by dumping the Russian.

The second seed will now meet great rival Roger Federer after the top-ranked Swiss star eased through against an out-of-sorts Novak Djokovic.

Andy Murray's conqueror Djokovic complained of dizziness and was trailing 6-3, 3-2 when he retired.

Nadal has not lost a set in Monte Carlo since beating Federer in the 2006 final.

But if anyone can trouble the clay court master it's surely the resurgent world No.1.

Federer said: "I'm happy with the way I'm playing.

"But only a handful of players can beat Nadal on clay because he's that dominant.

"I'd like to push him in the final and see what he can come up with in the big moments."

Nadal's last-four win wasn't as easy as the score suggests.

Davydenko's clever angles and ability to stay in the long rallies troubled the Spaniard.

But the Russian couldn't take his chances, converting only one of his five break points.

Davydenko said: "Every point is a long rally. Nadal is tough and he is in top condition."

Nadal broke his rival five times and saw off some superb play by Davydenko in the seventh game of the second set to close out the win.