Rafael Nadal decimates Richard Gasquet in the semi-final of
Internazionali BNL d’Italia
World number one, Rafael Nadal of Spain moved into his sixth final at Rome on Saturday when he defeated world number sixteen Richard Gasquet of France 7-5, 6-1.
The Spaniard took a total of one hour and thirty three minutes to ensure his straight, yet perhaps not so simple, sets victory over the Frenchman. Meeting Gasquet for the second time this season – ninth in their career, the Spaniard
extended his perfect head-to-head tally to 9-0 against Gasquet.
Playing his second semi-final at a Masters event and his third straight top ten opponent, Gasquet started off strong in the match, going neck to neck with the Spaniard.
Having done away with Roger Federer and Tomas Berdych in earlier rounds, many expected Gasquet to give Nadal a run for his money and for some time in the opener it seemed like he would.
Winning the toss, Gasquet started serve in the opener. The very first shot landing in the net allowed Nadal to go 15-0 love, however, bouncing back plausibly, Gasquet held his serve and went one up in the game score. Both players
held onto their serves for the first ten games keeping the score tied at 5-5.
However, just when everyone believed Gasquet would force a tiebreaker, Nadal caught the coveted break in the eleventh game. With two excellent forehands and an unforced error from Gasquet, Nadal was able to go 6-5 in the game score.
Serving for the set at 6-5, Nadal expected a smooth set victory. However, Gasquet had other plans. Matching blow for blow, Gasquet was able to force a deuce. It was only the combination of a well placed forehand and a powerful
ace, that Nadal was able to secure a 7-5 victory for himself in the first set.
Losing his spirit in the second set, a broken Gasquet was nothing more than just another opponent for Nadal, posing no major challenge for the King of Clay. Talk about unlucky; Gasquet was broken in the thirteenth game giving Nadal
a 2-0 edge. Winning his last game of the match, Gasquet was able to hold his serve in the fifteenth game, following which was an all-Nadal show. Reeling off the next four games, Nadal was able to secure a breadstick win for himself.
Talking about his performance, the Spaniard said, "I am playing better every day and a little bit higher, so I think that in general I am happy for everything,"
Nadal moves into the final where he will take on the unbeatable Serb, Novak Djokovic. The pair has met each other three times this season already with the Serb emerging as the victor on all three occasions.
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