Nadal advances to meet Youzhnyin semi-final

World number one Rafael Nadal, seeking his first US Open title to complete a career Grand Slam, advanced to the last four on Thursday by defeating eighth-seeded Spanish compatriot Fernando Verdasco.

Nadal, who has not lost a set in the tournament, rolled 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 and tonight he will play for a finals berth against Russian 12th seed Mikhail Youzhny, who ousted Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

“It was a very important victory,” Nadal said.

“It’s a very nice feeling to be in the semi-finals third time in a row in one of the most important tournaments in the world, for me right now probably the most important.”

Nadal has reached the US Open semi-finals for the third year in a row but has never made the final, losing to Andy Murray in 2008 and eventual winner Juan Martin Del Potro, of Argentina, last year.

“For me, the semi-final is amazing but I have to keep playing better if I want to win the final,” Nadal said.

“It’s a great thing for me, especially without losing a set. I played every day better.”

Nadal seeks his ninth career Grand Slam title and third in a row in 2010 after Wimbledon and the French Open.

Only Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and Rod Laver have won three Slams in a row in the Open era that began in 1968.

Swiss second seed Federer, a 16-time Grand Slam champion, and Serbian third seed Novak Djokovic meet in the other semi-final. Both were off on Thursday but barring rain Nadal must win three matches in four days to claim the title.

“I have to play my best tennis,” Nadal said.

“That’s the only way I’m going to get to the last round.”

Nadal could join Federer, Andre Agassi, Don Budge, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver and Fred Perry as the only men to complete the career Grand Slam, but says his main concern now is Youzhny.

“I’m always focused on my next match. I never look that far away,” Nadal said.

Nadal, 24, has a 7-4 career record against Youzhny, but has won four of their past five meetings, most recently in the 2008 fourth round at Wimbledon.

Women’s SF
Vera Zvonareva reached the US Open final last night with a 6-4, 6-3 win over top seed Caroline Wozniacki. The seventh-seeded Russian will play the winner of the other semi-final, opposing Kim Clijsters and Venus Williams.