First four in last four

Rafael Nadal outclasses Robin Soderling to set up semi-final clash with Murray

Playing a bit like he’s still upset about his only loss at Roland Garros,Rafael Nadal defeated Robin Soderling 6-4,6-1,7-6 (3) on Wednesday to reach the French Open semifinals for the sixth time.

The five-time champion,who lost to Soderling in the fourth round in 2009 but then defeated him in last year’s final,is 43-1 at the clay-court Grand Slam and two wins away from equaling Bjorn Borg’s record of six French Open titles.

I am through. I’m in the semifinals,so that’s the thing, Nadal said. I have to be playing better and better every day if I want to have chances to win the final and that’s what I’m going to try. Nadal will next face fourth-seeded Andy Murray. The Australian Open runner-up,who injured his right ankle in the third round,defeated Juan Ignacio Chela 7-6 (2),7-5,6-2.

In my opinion,that’s not going to affect him and his confidence to be in the semifinal, Nadal said of Murray’s injury. He’s playing well. He’s (a) big player. Murray’s win ensured that the top four seeded players made the semifinals at a Grand Slam tournament for only the 12th time in the Open era.

Also,Maria Sharapova and Australian Open finalist Li Na reached the women’s semifinals. They will face each other on Thursday.

Nadal was back on Court Philippe Chatrier to face the man who was responsible for his only blemish at Roland Garros. But with the wind gusting at one point blowing specks of red clay into Nadal’s face the fifth-seeded Swede struggled with his first serve,landing only 57 per cent during the match.

Nadal,however,didn’t appear to be bothered by the conditions,although he was broken twice. The top-ranked Spaniard made only 13 unforced errors,while Soderling had 41.

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Probably Robin today had a few more mistakes than usual. That maybe helped me a little bit, Nadal said. I was lucky for a moment. Emotionless for almost the entire match,Nadal was able to handle Soderling’s hard forehand while keeping his opponent on the move by spraying shots to all corners of the court.

And when he smacked a forehand winner to hold serve to 6-5 in the third set,the crowd roared. After five titles in Paris,Nadal had plenty of fans in the stands,and even some admirers. Besides the Spanish flags throughout the stadium,one woman held up a sign reading,Rafa ganador,kiss me por favor (Rafa you winner,kiss me please).

Friday’s other semifinal will be between defending champion Roger Federer and the seemingly unstoppable Novak Djokovic. The second-seeded Djokovic is 41-0 in 2011 and has won 43 straight matches dating to last year’s Davis Cup final triumph for Serbia.

The best player of the world today against the best player (in) history, Nadal said. Going to be,in my opinion,fantastic match. Chris Lehourites