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Nadal to play Roddick in Sony Ericsson Open semi-finals

Rafael Nadal
Nadal saved all eight break points against Tsonga

Rafael Nadal will play Andy Roddick in the semi-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami after both men enjoyed straightforward wins on Wednesday.

Number four seed Nadal was in outstanding form, beating France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3 6-2.

Sixth seed Roddick of the United States, who won the event in 2004, beat Spain's Nicolas Almagro 6-3 6-3.

Thursday's quarter-finals see Tomas Berdych play Fernando Verdasco and Mikhail Youzhny play Robin Soderling.

"I played well, his service is always tough but I think I also served really well," said Nadal.

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"I have to be very focused on myself [against Roddick] and try to play aggressively on the return. He is a big competitor and a very good player."

Roddick said: "I felt like I played pretty clean today. I played within the margins, and hit it well.

"He [Almagro] is a guy who takes lots of risk himself, so you can keep it low because he's the one trying to hit the lines and be the aggressor."

Nadal took just one-and-a-half hours to dispose of eighth seed Tsonga, who had not dropped a set all tournament heading into the match.

Tsonga did provide resistance, forcing Nadal to save eight break points - four in each set.

But Nadal was in commanding form from the start and, and having broken Tsonga's serve in the final game of the first set, swiftly broke for the third time in the match to take firm control.

Roddick broke the 33rd seed's serve at the first opportunity and dominated the rest of the first set.

Two superb forehands down the line secured a second-set break in the fifth game, allowing Roddick to close out for the win.



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see also
Berdych defeats Federer in Miami
31 Mar 10 |  Tennis
Off-colour Federer wins through
30 Mar 10 |  Tennis
Nadal overcomes brave Nalbandian
28 Mar 10 |  Tennis
Fish punishes out-of-sorts Murray
27 Mar 10 |  Tennis
Djokovic makes shock Miami exit
27 Mar 10 |  Tennis
Baltacha out of Miami tournament
26 Mar 10 |  Tennis
Gasquet slump continues in Miami
25 Mar 10 |  Tennis
Murray bows out in Indian Wells
20 Mar 10 |  Tennis


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