Tennis

Nadal sets up Berdych final after downing Murray

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-07-03 14:23

Spain's Rafael Nadal (L) embraces Britain's Andy Murray after defeating him in their men's semi-final match at the 2010 Wimbledon tennis championships in London, July 2, 2010. [Agencies]

LONDON - Rafael Nadal almost looked apologetic as he whispered words of consolation into Andy Murray's ear after he made sure on Friday that Britain's wait for a men's Wimbledon champion would roll into a 75th year.

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But moments earlier, the 2008 champion had played the role of dream wrecker to perfection as he roared into his fourth final at the All England Club by inflicting a painful 6-4 7-6 6-4 defeat on Murray.

After eyeing Murray's lashed volley drop beyond the dusty baseline, Nadal collapsed on to his back and appeared as if he was celebrating winning a second title at the holy grail of tennis instead of merely booking a final with Tomas Berdych.

"I wished him best of luck for the rest of the season, and sorry for today," Nadal said of his net exchange with Murray.

"I know it was an important match for him. I felt sorry for him because he's a very nice person."

Nadal's victory condemned British men to a 10-match losing streak in Wimbledon semi-finals, with Murray's two flops adding to the failures of Mike Sangster (one), Roger Taylor (three) and Tim Henman (four).

The giant-killing run of Berdych, who sensationally ended Roger Federer's pursuit of a seventh title in the quarters, showed no signs of slowing down after he dashed Novak Djokovic's hopes of a maiden grasscourt title with a 6-3 7-6 6-3 win in the other semi-final.

"I think (for) every young kid who first time hits the ball, this is the dream to be in the final of any grand slam. If you can do it at Wimbledon it's amazing," said Berdych, the first Czech man since Ivan Lendl in 1987 to reach the final here.

"It couldn't get better."