Nadal overwhelms Roddick

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Andy Roddick’s legs felt fatigued.

The crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium was hushed.

And defending champion Rafael Nadal was at his court-covering, groundstroke-whipping, serve-stopping best.

Hardly a good combination for the last American man in the U.S. Open.

Overwhelming Roddick right from the start, Nadal compiled a stunning 22-0 edge in forehand winners, broke six times and never left the outcome of their match even remotely in doubt, winning 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 on Friday to reach the semifinals at Flushing Meadows for the fourth consecutive year.

What was it like for 2003 U.S. Open champion Roddick to be out there, his own game faltering and Nadal’s as good as it gets?

“It’s a bad feeling. It’s almost worse than competing,” Roddick said. “You feel helpless.”

Nadal took the first four games in 18 minutes. He then reeled off 16 of the last 17 points — including 12 in a row — to close the second set.

“It was quick. Obviously, it was a combination of things that probably weren’t going to work out today,” said Roddick, who had trouble pushing off on serves and forehands and was massaged by a trainer during a medical timeout in the third set. “It was evident pretty early that he was in full control.”

Seeking his 11th Grand Slam title, Nadal has yet to drop a set heading into today’s semifinal against No. 4 Andy Murray, who beat No. 28 John Isner 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (2) earlier Friday.

“It will be a very tough match for me,” Nadal said, “and hopefully for him, too.”

The other semifinal was set up by Thursday’s quarterfinals, and it’ll be a big one: No. 1 Novak Djokovic against No. 3 Roger Federer, who has won five of his record 16 Grand Slam championships at the U.S. Open. For the second time in the last three major tournaments, the final foursome is filled by the top men ranked Nos. 1-4 — something that hadn’t happened at the U.S. Open since 1992.

“They’re pretty firmly the best players in the world right now,” Roddick said. “They certainly deserve the numbers next to their names.”

Djokovic is 62-2 with nine titles in 2011, including Wimbledon and the Australian Open. His first loss this season came when Federer ended Djokovic’s 43-match winning streak in a thrilling French Open semifinal.