Nadal eases through in Rome

Players Under the Microscope / Editor / 12 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic to progress to the semi-finals of the Rome Masters and equal John McEnroe's one-surface record.

The Spaniard powered past 19-year-old Djokovic 6-2 6-3 in their quarter-final showdown to clinch a 75th consecutive win on clay and equal McEnroe's run on indoor carpet from 1983 to 1985.

Despite Djokovic winning three titles this season he was no match for Nadal, who now goes through to meet Nikolay Daveydenko in the last four following his 1-6 6-3 6-3 win over clay specialist Tommy Robredo.

Nadal, is 1.14 favourite to go on and win the tournament, and if he does, he will be the first player to win this French Open warm-up tournament three times in a row.

Daveydenko, is trading at 18.5 to pull off a shock and defeat Nadal in the semi-final and is available at 40 to win the whole event.

However he took time out to heap praise on his opponent, and said: "Djokovic is a difficult opponent and he made me work hard for the win. He will be one to look out for at the French Open."

Filippo Volandri, who defeated world number one Roger Federer, continued his recent good form with a 6-2 6-3 win over 12th seed Tomas Berdych and is trading at 20 to go on and win the tournament.

His semi-final opponent will be sixth-seeded Fernando Gonzalez, who beat Juan Ignacio Chela 6-3 6-4 and is available at 11.