Nadal Vs. Murray: Set by set coverage - Murray wins

Published on Sunday 7 September 2008 19:41

Andy Murray has defeated Rafael Nadal in the semi finals of the US Open.

Full report to follow

Third set

Andy Murray has lost the third set of US Open semi-final 6-4 against Rafael Nadal. Murray leads by two sets to one.

Nadal had looked extremely flat in the gloomy atmosphere yesterday but having worked a break in the first game of the third set before the rains came, the top seed came out strongly as play resumed, serving the first game of the day to love to take a 4-2 lead.

Murray was equal to the task, though, responding in kind with a perfect service game.

Nadal moved to within a game of pulling a set back in the match with a comfortable service hold. Yet, again, Murray showed he was not about to start being pushed around by taking his next game to love, throwing down two aces to start with and then scooping up a brilliantly measured angled forehand winner before closing out with another ace, his 19th of the match.

It still left Nadal serving for the set at 5-4 as the shadows moved across the court, but Murray saved his rival's first set point and then earned a break point himself. Nadal's response was an ace down the middle that clipped the line, Murray's challenge looked more in hope than certainty.

The world number one moved to another set point with a big forehand winner and repeated the feat to move back into contention at two sets to one down, suddenly appearing energised with a heartfelt fist pump.