Murray succumbs to awesome Nadal

By David Ornstein
BBC Sport

Murray beat Nadal at the same stage in 2008

Andy Murray’s hopes of reaching the US Open final came to an end as Rafael Nadal outclassed him in four sets to set up a meeting with Novak Djokovic.

The British number one was beaten 6-4 6-2 3-6 6-3 in three hours and 24 minutes to ensure his wait for a maiden Grand Slam title goes on.

Murray was no match for the Spaniard in the first two sets and despite rallying in the third, he wilted in the fourth.

Nadal faces Djokovic on Monday after he overcame Roger Federer in five sets.

“Tonight I played my best match so far and I’m very happy to be in the final,” said the world number two.

“The beginning of the fourth set was really important because Andy had a break point but I managed to save it.

“He had a tougher match than me yesterday and I started to play bit more agressively.”

Murray beat Nadal at this stage in 2008 to reach his maiden Grand Slam final, but Nadal had won each of their previous four meetings and it was swiftly clear why.

The second seed had a clear game plan and stuck to it, played with maximum aggression from the first point, targeted Murray’s weaknesses and stayed calm at all times.

By contrast, Murray struggled to execute his strategy, lacked his opponent’s intensity, was unable to take Nadal out of his comfort zone and wasted energy berating himself.

The Scot dug deep to save a break point and hold firm in an eight-minute opening service game, and registered a chance of his own in game six.

But he failed to capitalise as Nadal came up with one of numerous stunning forehand winners – and he was soon in total command.

Nadal broke serve in game seven when Murray framed a return and comfortably saw out the opening set.

He came under severe pressure in game two of the second but again Murray could not capitalise, squandering three break points.

Nadal was left to applaud an incredible Murray forehand in game three but there were no niceties when the 10-time Grand Slam champion forced an error to break for 3-2.

Murray looked to be feeling the effects of Friday’s victory over John Isner and Nadal struck again to move 5-2 ahead before securing a two-set lead with an imperious hold to love.

The momentum swung both ways in a high-quality third set and it was Murray who made the first move when he finally breached Nadal’s defences with a volleyed put-away to end a 28-shot rally in game two.

However, a first double-fault of the match helped Nadal hit straight back and after seeing a break point go begging in the following game, Murray yelled “awful, awful returning.”

Nadal’s shot selection, angles and changes of pace were hugely impressive, but Murray stuck with him brilliantly, regained his composure and cut down on the errors.

He weas rewarded with a hard-earned break of serve for 5-3 and then converted his third set point when Nadal netted a forehand.

More to follow.

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