Fri Apr 4 15:56:58 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Nadal reaches Sony Ericsson Open final

---

Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Former runner-up Rafael Nadal was a semifinal winner Friday at the $3.77 million Sony Ericsson Open -- the second of nine ATP Masters Series events this year.

The second-seeded/world No. 2 Nadal handled 10th-seeded Czech slugger Tomas Berdych 7-6 (8-6), 6-2 on Day 10 at Crandon Park. The reigning three-time French Open champion and two-time Wimbledon runner-up Nadal was the 2005 Miami runner-up to Roger Federer.

The 21-year-old Nadal topped the 6-foot-5 Berdych in 1 hour, 41 minutes with the help of three service breaks, compared to only one break for the Czech loser. The Spaniard needed seven set points to capture the first set in a grueling 73 minutes.

Berdych piled up 34 unforced errors, compared to a mere 11 for Nadal, amid sunny, 85-degree conditions.

Nadal is now 4-3 all-time versus Berdych, including wins in their last three meetings. Berdych was a perfect 3-0 in their previous hardcourt encounters.

The fiery Nadal will appear in his 31st career final and seek his 24th title. The Mallorcan southpaw is 0-1 in his lone 2008 finale, finishing as a runner- up in Chennai, India back in January.

Nadal's final opponent here on Sunday will be fourth-seeded Russian star Nikolay Davydenko or sixth-seeded heavy American favorite Andy Roddick, who beat Federer for the first time since 2003 here on Thursday night. Roddick and Davydenko will square off during Friday's night session, with Roddick holding a commanding 5-0 advantage in their lifetime series.

The former world No. 1 Roddick captured this prestigious hardcourt event back in 2004.

The 2008 Miami champion will claim $590,000.