Rafael Nadal Defeats Nicolas Lmagro in a tight straight sets win 7-6, 7-6, 6-4He awaits either Djokovic or Melzer in the semis...

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As it happened: No.2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) v No.19 Nicolas Almagro
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
By Charlotte James

19:41 Post-match

Nadal thanks the fans for their support and offers his commiserations to deposed champion Roger Federer. "I feel sorry for him because he did amazingly last year and deserved the title more than anyone," he says. And he says that despite his incredible record at Roland Garros, and the four titles and five semi-finals from six appearances, he isn't guaranteed to win this title. "No one is favourite for the title. All the players in the semis can win so we'll just have to see what happens.”


19:33 Game, set, match Nadal 7-6(2) 7-6(3) 6-4

Almagro isn't ready to lie down quite yet. He lives with Nadal in rallies and claims two of the first three points on the No.2 seed's serve. But it seems Nadal has spotted the finishing line. He forces a forehand error from Almagro for 30-30 then crushes another forehand down the line winner to stand at match point. A beautiful save by Almagro as he threads a topspin backhand down the line right under Nadal's nose. It's probably his best shot of the entire match and it's deuce. Almagro can't back it up, dropping a simple backhand return in the net to hand Nadal his second match point. A second backhand error, this time a rallying drive, and Nadal is through to the semi-finals for the fifth time in his career.


19:30 Third set: Nadal 5-4

Nadal whips forehand winners on consecutive points and stands at 30-0 on the Almagro serve. Almagro steers a weak backhand wide to hand the No.2 seed three break points, then hits a wide cross-court backhand to gift wrap the break and deliver to the four time champion. It's the first break of serve since set one in this match.


19:29 Third set: 4-4

Another hold to Nadal. It's not exactly easy for the No.2 seed out there, but you sense it's not that difficult either. He's not having his best day here at Roland Garros, but nor is Almagro.


19:25 Third set: Almagro 4-3

Almagro hangs tough and eases into the lead in the third set. There is still hope in his eyes as he heads to the chair, his fist clenched. He's well aware of how close this contest has been so far.


19:21 Third set: 3-3

It looks a little bit like Nadal has Almagro on a string out there. He allows his compatriot close, but not too close in points. He completes another hold of serve with a dinky looking lob that just clears Almagro's hitting zone.


19:17 Third set: Almagro 3-2

A lighting quick hold for Almagro, restating his intent in this match. He hasn't been far off Nadal at all today, the No.2 seed is just better at picking his moments to lift.


19:12 Third set: 2-2

Almagro makes the tiniest of inroads on the Nadal serve, taking the first point. But he is beaten back by the No.2 seed's serve and some slicing, chopping ground strokes from the four time champ at 40-15.


19:08 Third set: Almagro 2-1

Almagro leads 40-30 on serve. He races to the net for a simple short forehand put-away but loops the ball feet wide of the tramlines and it's deuce. Nadal is like a wall out there at the moment. Shots Almagro expects to be winners just keep coming back at him. He finds a tiny gap and threads a forehand winner down the line for advantage and follows up on the next point with a high-bouncing smash. The way the two players are rallying at the moment it's quite feasible that this third set will also be decided in a tiebreak.


19:08 Third set 1-1

A hold for Nadal. He's looking nowhere near his usual authoritative self out there but, with the barrier of two sets between him and his No.19-seeded opponent, he really doesn't need to do more than he's already doing. Almagro hasn't really found that blistering vein of form that put him through over Verdasco.


18:59 Third set: Almagro 1-0

There's a definite slump to Almagro's shoulders at the start of this third set. He trails 15-30 on serve and is having to rely on second serves to keep him in the points. Somehow he finds a way to hold from deuce and he is on the scoreboard first in the third set.


18:50 Second set: Nadal 7-6(3)

Once again Nadal comes out of the blocks like a rocket in the tiebreak. Almagro doesn't stand a chance against his ballistic ground strokes. The tiniest cracks start to appear in the No.19 seed's composure as Nadal moves to 4-0. He takes a first, irate, swipe at the court surface. Nadal's serve pins Almagro behind the baseline, leaving the court wide open for him to strike winning blow after winning blow. Almagro managers just three points in the breaker, Nadal springing into a flying fist pump after claiming set point with another clean winner.


18:49 Second set: 6-6

A hold for Almagro and we're into another tiebreak on Philippe Chatrier Court.


18:42 Second set: Nadal 6-5

Nadal wins a winding rally standing 30-30 on serve. Almagro raises his hands to the heavens as if to say: "what else can I do?" Almagro takes the game to deuce but makes no further impression and Nadal takes the lead once more.


18:37 Second set: 5-5

Almagro hangs tough, his sweeping groundies not really allowing Nadal to make an impression on his service game. Hold to the No.19 seed.


18:30 Second set: Nadal 5-4

Nadal leads 40-15 on serve when Almagro suddenly turns on the power. He eases to 30-40 on the world No.1's serve, then executes an awe inspiring high-backhand/forehand winner combo to peg the score to deuce. A netted backhand by Nadal and suddenly he's facing break point. He saves it with a huge serve out to the Almagro forehand, chasing the ball in to put away the jump smash for deuce. A forehand rallying error from Almagro and it's starting to look like he might have missed his opportunity. He hangs in though and out-foxes Nadal with an improvised forehand smash that turns into a drop shot. It's deuce. Nadal earns a free point with a serve into Almagro's body for another game point. He holds serve a moment later when Almagro drives a forehand behind the baseline. The four-time champion has weathered the most significant challenge so far in this second set.


18:28 Second set: 4-4

Hold for Almagro. Both players are hitting the ball consistently but neither looks willing to take a chance in order to capture a break. This is holding pattern tennis.


18:22 Second set: Nadal 4-3

Tougher struggle on serve there for Nadal but he holds on. Almagro is beginning to find the timing on those forehand drives.


18:20 Second set: 3-3

Not to be outdone, Almagro notches up a love game as well.


18:17 Second set: Nadal 3-2

Love game to Nadal. The world No.2 is on cruise control.


18:14 Second set: 2-2

Almagro spices things up on serve with a variation on the Pete Sampras slam dunk smash. His shot is more like a slam dunk drive and it earns him a 40-30 lead on serve. He puts away a clean forehand winner down the line on game point and levels the second set.


18:13 Second set: Nadal 2-1

Nadal holds again. Play so far in this set is being dictated almost totally by the server. It's a much quicker set as a consequence.


18:11 Second set: 1-1

Love game to Almagro, seemingly to make the point to Nadal that he's still in this match.


18:07 Second set: Nadal 1-0

It's a much more aggressive Nadal that addresses the second set. He races through his opening service game and the men take a turn around the net.


18:03 First set: the stats

Players closely matched in that first set. More aces from Almagro (3 to 2), a higher service percentage from Nadal (68% to 56%). Interestingly, both players have made more unforced errors than winners, Almagro's ratio 18/17, Nadal's 14/13. Just three points between the two men for the set, Nadal claiming 43 to 40 by Almagro.


17:56 First set: Tiebreak 7-6(2)

Nadal gets the mini break at the start of the tiebreak but is forced to hand it back after Almagro punches a forehand drive into his Nadal gets the mini break at the start of the tiebreak but is forced to hand it back after Almagro punches a forehand drive into his forehand corner. 1-1. Nadal pushes on to 3-1, but then drops a point when he pushes a backhand return, of a super-slow second serve, into the net. Nadal 3-2. He makes amends for that with a forehand down the line winner, changing ends before winning the next point with a forehand drive off a short ball. Nadal 5-2. Almagro flicks a half-hearted backhand into the net and Nadal has three set points. He takes the first with a flying backhand cross-court winner, his feet a foot above the baseline.forehand corner. 1-1. Nadal pushes on to 3-1, but then drops a point when he pushes a backhand return, of a super-slow second serve, into the net. Nadal 3-2. He makes ammends for that with a forehand down the line winner, changing ends before winning the next point with a forehand drive off a short ball. Nadal 5-2. Almagro flicks a half-hearted backhand into the net and Nadal has three set points. He takes the first with a flying backhand cross-court winner, his feet a foot above the baseline.


17:56 First set: 6-6

Little evidence of the blistering brilliance of Almagro’s fourth round match yet but the Spaniard is playing a smart match. He’s living with his world No.2-ranked opponent, forcing him to go for his shots. Nadal drops two points en route to holding another tight service game.


17:47 First set: Almagro 6-5

Almagro commits his first double fault of the match at 15-15 to trail 15-30. Nadal skies a backhand to bring the score back to 30-30. He heads to the chair and swaps racquets, clearly no longer happy the stringing of that one. Almagro rallies a topspin backhand wide and it's a breakpoint to Nadal but the No.19 seed steps up on the next point, punching away a forehand winner for deuce. He fires down his third ace for the match - a 222 k/ph screamer - for game point and holds with a glorious topspin backhand cross court wrong-footing drive.


17:43 First set: 5-5

Nadal focuses his attack on the Almagro backhand, Almagro goes after Nadal's lefty forehand. The No.19 seed advances to 30-15 on the Nadal serve before the world No.2 comes back at him, winning three consecutive points to hold.


17:40 First set: Almagro 5-4

Another steady game by Almagro. He's playing sensible, contained tennis at the moment. Not going for too much and waiting for Nadal to make some uncharacteristic mistakes. He holds serve.


17:35 First set: 4-4

Nadal has to find his best rallying so far this match to fight back from 0-30 down on serve. From there he serves consecutive aces, his first for the match, to hold.


17:31 First set: Almagro 4-3

Almagro steadies himelf, and his serving, to maintain the pressure on Nadal. He holds for the loss of a point and moves ahead once more.


17:27 First set: 3-3

Nadal holds with ease, the world No.2 looking much more his normal self, and this set is locked up at three games apiece.


17:24 First set: Almagro 3-2

Almagro is finding the corners but Nadal is tracking down the balls. He earns a break point with a running lefty-forehand down the line winner, breaking back on the next point when Almagro drives a backhand long.


17:20 First set: Almagro 3-1

A comfortable hold for Nadal. He's got his legs moving now, and his opponent.


17:08 First set: Almagro 3-0

The two combatants are beating each other into submission out there. Almagro has to fight hard but survives a long deuce on serve to move further ahead. His serves have Nadal reaching to the full extent of his 6'1" frame and both players are painting the corners with their ground strokes.


17:07 First set: Almagro 2-0

Nadal has managed to win just one point so far in this match. Almagro breaks the world No.2's serve to 15 and extends his lead.


17:06 First set: 1-0

Almagro's game has lost none of its fire since his fourth round win over Verdasco. He wins all four points to hold serve in the first game of this quarter-final.