Rafael Nadal feels he is ready for US title assault

RAFAEL NADAL believes he is finally in good shape ahead of a US Open semi-final as he looks to take another step closer to a career Grand Slam.

Nadal has reached the last four for the third year in succession at the US Open - the only grand slam title he has yet to win. And the world No.1 and top seed looks to be in superb form ahead of today's clash with Mikhail Youzhny, the left-hander having not dropped a set in five matches so far. "I am at the right round without problems, so that's very positive. Right now remains the most difficult thing," he said.

Nadal has won seven of his 11 meetings with Youzhny. The other semi-final has Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic facing each other for the fourth year in a row in New York.