Nadal crushes Murray in straight sets

Source: Agencies  |   2008-7-3  |     ONLINE EDITION

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Andy Murray of Britain in their match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London yesterday. More in photo gallery

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SECOND seed Rafael Nadal rampaged around Centre Court yesterday, trampling British hope Andy Murray 6-3 6-2 6-4 to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals.

The Spanish world number two produced what he described as his best display at the All England Club to leave Murray battered and bruised and the crowd shaking their heads in disbelief at some of his play.

On Monday Murray had produced a memorable Houdini escape act to beat Frenchman Richard Gasquet after trailing by two sets but there was never any glimpse of a comeback here.

"This was my best match here for sure," the 22-year-old Majorcan powerhouse said. "I tried to play aggressive all the time and hit big power on my forehand.

"I'm happy to be in the semi-final and also to beat such a tough player."

Barring a huge semi-final shock against either Frenchman Arnaud Clement or Rainer Schuettler of Germany, Nadal looks a certainty for a third consecutive final here against Roger Federer, should the Swiss five-times champion beat Marat Safin.

Murray never got fired up as he did against Gasquet, and admitted he had been outplayed.

"He played so much better than me," the 21-year-old 12th seed told reporters. "His forehand was ridiculous, I couldn't get any rhythm...I felt rushed on every point.

"All I could do was hope his level would go down a bit but I had no chances at all."

Murray saved break points at 2-3 in the first set but it was only a temporary reprieve. Two games later he botched a drop shot attempt, shanked a forehand and then hit a smash way past the baseline to gift Nadal the first break of the match.

A stunning whipped forehand pass off a low Murray slice brought gasps from the crowd and Nadal closed out the first set. Nadal completely dominated the second set, dishing out a fearful beating to a tiring Murray.