Rafa sets up Federer clash

ByEurosport

Published 17/11/2006 at 13:59 GMT

Rafael Nadal came from a set down to beat Nikolay Davydenko and set up a Masters Cup semi-final clash against Roger Federer. Both players knew that victory would advance them to the last four, with the loser exiting the tournament.

TENNIS 2006 Masters Cup Rafa Nadal

Image credit: Imago

But the world numbers two and three played with an admirable freedom and treated the Shanghai crowd to a wonderful match from which Nadal eventually triumphed 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

The 20-year-old Spaniard took an injury time-out in the deciding set but rallied to break Davydenko for a 4-3 lead and reached the last four of the year-ending tournament at the first attempt with when the Russian went wide on the first match point.

Nadal and Davydenko, second and third in the world behind Swiss Federer, had never met before and both players showed off their power and athleticism in a fascinating two-and-three-quarter hour duel punctuated with fine winners.

Masters Cup