KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. - Rafael Nadal usually obtain a trophy when he defeated Roger Federer. This time, is pay a chance to play Novak Djokovic in the final Sunday at the Sony Ericsson Open.
Advanced Nadal Friday evening, with an incredible ease before an arbitrary Federer 6 - 3, 6-2.
Spanish has never lost serve, four of five break point opportunities and non-forced errors committed only 10 to 31 for Federer.
The first clash of the United States in six years between Rafa and Roger was a clapped-out instead of a classic, a capacity crowd who tried in vain to inspire a comeback Federer singing his disappointing name. They met before the final of the tower for the first time since 2007 because Federer has recently slipped from second to third in the standings and landed at Nadal half of the draw.
Now, no. ranked 1 Nadal and not. Djokovic 2 will play for the Championship. Djokovic won the tournament in 2007, while Nadal is looking for his first Key Biscayne title.
Djokovic extended his series of victories in 25 consecutive matches by Mardy Fish in the other semi-final, 6-3, 6-1 defeat. Three-time champion Grand Slam Maria Sharapova tries his first title in Key Biscayne Saturday when they play Victoria Azarenka 2009 champion.
Nadal vs Federer generated the vortex of a final, with tickets shortly before the game to recover hundreds of dollars. But Federer came out flat, committing four errors not forced to lose serve and scramblers 2-1.
That was part of a room in which Nadal won 13 of 15 points to take control. He lost two only of 18 points on his service in the first series.
The agitated crowd began chanting "ro - ger!" in the second series, but some fans would answer with a competition "Ra - fa! Din do not change the course of the game.
Federer had problems of adaptation with the speed of Nadal of features of soil, shanking of half a dozen photos, including a match point to reach. Federer then put a prudent forehand in the net, and it was completed after only 75 minutes.
Improved Nadal, 15-8 against Federer. Nadal is 16-8 against Djokovic but lost when she was two weeks ago in the final at Indian Wells.
It is one of the three titles that Djokovic won this year, including the Open of Australia. His 23-0 record in 2011 is the best record to start a year since Ivan Lendl 25-0 has begun in 1986.
Despite this, Djokovic says the role of underdog Sunday.
He said "I obviously wouldn't can't feel like a favorite". "For me to win, I'll be should be at the top of my game."
Fish, who received the No. 1 ranking in the United States its run this week, suspended with Djokovic for a time, but he was 0 for 6 break points. Djokovic erased three ACEs and one with a service winner.
The Serbian service is its greatest weakness, only a year ago, but it is much improved since. It must be still 40 service games at Key Biscayne, erase all 15 break points he faced to be broken.
"I don't feel invincible," Djokovic said. "I don't feel that I can't lose on the right." What I feel, is the great confidence. What I feel is that I am playing the best tennis of my life. »
Djokovic also dominates long events, another reason, it has only 18 games in five lost rounds.
"It will be better than now, no doubt about it, the hard court," said Fish "it is now his playground."
Rain stopped the match 2 - all 54 minutes and Djokovic said that it is less windy conditions more favourable to the game resumed. He thrust his chest after winning a grueling basis of rallies to break a 4-2 lead.
Fish the best chance to return to the game came three games later, but he did not put away a volley to break point station and Djokovic served to all.
It was a runaway from there.
"I win one of the big points," said Fish "none of them." I left many shots here today. That is what is disappointing.
His consolation: he'll be ahead of fellow American Andy Roddick uphill to a career-best 11th in the rankings next week.
