Nadal falls to Youzhny

/ Editor / 02 March 2007 / Leave a Comment

Rafael Nadal has crashed out of the Dubai Open at the quarter-final stage after losing 7-6 6-2 to Russia's Mikhail Youzhny.

The defending champion looked in real problems after losing the first set on a tie-break and although he saved one match point, Nadal eventually went out in straight sets.

Youzhny's victory sets up a semi-final clash with Sweden's Robin Soderling, who beat France's Fabrice Santoro 6-1 6-7 6-0.

In the other half of the draw, world number one Roger Federer will play Tommy Haas in the last four.

Federer was given a real battle in his quarter-final with Serbia's Novak Djokovic, but eventually won 6-3 6-7 6-3.

Meanwhile, Haas continues his fine form following victory in Memphis last week. The German hammered Belgium's Olivier Rochus 6-0 6-2.

Federer is 1.2 to reach the final, with Haas currently trading at 5.8. Youzhny is the 1.45 favourite to win his semi-final with Soderling available to back at 3.1.

Predictably, Federer is the 1.3 favourite to take the title in Dubai, with Youzhny at 9.2, Haas at 9.6 and Soderling the outsider at 27.