Rafael Nadal was classified for the first time in his career for the U.S. Open semifinals after beating American Mardy Fish in 4 sets, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 and 6-2, which assured him finish 2008 as No. 1 in the world. The flamboyant Prince of Asturias award for Sports is face in the semifinals at British Andy Murray, sixth head series, which defeated in the quarterfinals and after almost four hours party at Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, sixteenth favorite, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (1), 4-6 and 7-5.



The background for Rafa Nadal were more positive than before Mardy Fish. He had played against the United States on four occasions and never had yielded a single set. However, the party was unable to start for the worse Spanish. Fish saved a ball against break in the first game and then broke Nadal service.

With a very aggressive game, in which Fish was played everything no matter what if it fell or not the clubs that launched from the bottom of the track, American got that Nadal does not find its rhythm game during the first sleeve. With points short and supported in a draw devastating, which got up to 9 aces, Fish noted the first set for 3-6 before a Nadal who had two other balls in the break the fifth game when they lost 1-3 on the scoreboard.

The reaction of the worlds number 1
Nadal reacted as the number 1 which is nothing more to begin the second set. He won his first service in white, broke the Fish and kick him returned the 3-0 that the U.S. had endorsed him to Nadal in the first set. Nadal began playing high balls from the bottom of the track and Fish, not forced to accumulate errors. The vol of American remained in the network and their balls did not find the lines so primet frequency as in the set. Thus, Nadal equalled the match after win the second sleeve for a comfortable 6-1.

Presented battle over Fish in the third set. However, the minimum Nadal took that opportunity again break Service American, in the seventh game, to sign the partial 6-4. Rafa also had trouble certify their passage into the semifinals the fourth set. The game of draw-volea of Fish lost his entire Nadal effectiveness and sentenced to a further break in the seventh game a match which ended at 2:10 in the morning, an hour longer own a golfa meeting that a meeting of tennis.

With this victory Nadal enters the club of 20, the number of player who has reached the semifinals of the four tournaments Grand Slam in one season. Something of what today only can boast Federer, Nalbandian, Djokovic and from this Thursday Nadal.

With his first triumph in the ATP circuit, before the Paraguayan Delgado in Mallorca, with 15 years and 10 months, Rafael Nadal began writing one of the most beautiful pages in Spanish sport. Today, nearly seven years later, the Prince of Asturias Award recognizes an extraordinary career, yet to be written, it has risen to the top of world ranking after a course indelible 2008.

Nadal happens in the prize to German Michael Schumacher after winning (18, joined the 24 votes) to U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps, the athlete with most Olympic gold medals (14) after eight conquered in Beijing, the Jamaican s[+]

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The jury of the Prince of Asturias Award County this morning the most important prize in the sports world

Rafa Nadal was aware that he was competing "with great athletes. And it is a prize to the trajectory so this quiet because I hope, if not this year, will be the next ". These were the words of Manacor before knowing that the Prince of Asturias Sport can move on to swell their trophy cabinets.

It is a recognition not only to this extraordinary 2008 but also has to be seen as a reward for the record, the tenacity, when, as well said his close friend Carlos Moyà, "not to lay down their arms ever" ... When any other would have stopped running, he would have forgotten the number one and would have been contented with beating another kind of records.

But it is Nadal, the Spanish athlete more relevant today. And is that Rafa reflects everything that is rewarded with the Prince of Asturias. In the first instead, their deeds sports: four consecutive Roland Garros, with the double Wimbledon this year (for the first time since 1980) after two late missed, the best streak in history on any surface (81 consecutive wins on clay), the better number two in history (160 consecutive weeks in that post) and, finally, world number one ... Without forgetting that also looks with pride and Olympic gold that was in 2004, 18, the youngest champion in Davis Cup the full story.

A second requirement is his most human side. Rafa remains the same the first day, according to media with a smile and responding to the maximum possible number of requests from fans. There is nothing strange to see him twenty minutes signing autographs at the conclusion of their training sessions. His behavior has not been altered by his ascension to the top. On the contrary.

And the third alternative: its contribution sport. The contribution of the tennis Nadal no doubt because it has become one of the most popular athletes in the world and their presence on the circuit has meant one of the greatest rivalries in history and has brought, as identifies two legends like Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe, the most that has ever seen in the final of Wimbledon.

Rafa is at a higher level. Any recognition, as highlighted his own comrades circuit, is more than deserved.

Nadal beats Of Heart and cross in the third round with Troicki

Rafa Nadal is already in the third round of U.S. Open after overcoming clearly Ryle From the American Heart by 6-1, 6-2 and 6-4 in one hour and a half game.

The world's number one overwhelming left the track without being met and the first hour of game and dominated by two sets to zero encounters.

The U.S., which came from upstream and it occupies the ATP ranking of 261, released his arm in the third set and gave the enthusiastic audience that filled New York tier of the Ashe Stadium some memorable points, which were pulled by their compatriots and took him to dominate the third sleeve by 3-0.

So far allowed Nadal to the joys local player since bonded five games in succession and finally pointed the final set for 6-3.

In the third round, Nadal will be measured to Serbian player Victor Troicki, number 71 of the ATP, which has faced only once, at the Australia Open this year, which already won in three sets by 7 -- 6, 7-5 and 6-1.

The Spanish tennis player Rafa Nadal, brand new Olympic champion, debuted in the U.S. Open with victory against the German Bjorn Phaum (7-6 (4), 6-3 and 7-6 (4)), after a rough game in which the Spanish blamed fatigue after the Olympics and the boundless enthusiasm of his rival, which entered the final table from upstream.

The first set was an exchange of blows in which Nadal was unable to impose the condition number one world premiere at Flushing Meadows. Phau lifted the four balls to break his opponent and enjoyed the partial condemned the tiebreaker as both maintained their draw. In the tiebreaker, Nadal took out his quality after a 3-3 start with three balls and closed the partial (7-4).



The second set began with fright as the Majorcan was forced to seek medical help when sent by 2-1. The doctor's Tournament applied a disinfectant and a gauze on the right foot of Nadal and the Spanish came to the stadium as a shot, without giving option to break the German after service for the first time in the encounter (6-3).

However, Phau resurfaced in the last part, thanks in part to the failures of unusual Nadal, who refused to head hampered by the confusion that often accused when he made his debut in a tournament. With 4-4 on the scoreboard, the Balearic finally succeeded in breaking the German's service and got to win the match, but he broke Phau draw for the first time and led to a new set a tiebreaker.

In the last tiebreaker Nadal said enough. He finally raised his range of strokes winners making it clear who sent the legendary track on Arthur Ashe (5-1), despite the unwavering strength of German (7-4). Sealed worked this victory, the Spanish will be measured in the second round winner of the duel between the American Ryler De Heart and Belgian Olivier Rochus.