Final again in Canada

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Andy is through to his second consecutive final at the Canadian Masters 1000 after an emphatic 6-3 6-4 win over World No. 1 Rafael Nadal that he described as “huge for the confidence.”

He’ll now play Roger Federer in Sunday’s final, scheduled for 1:30pm local time.

Having spoken of his desire to ‘free up and play his game,’ Andy once again blended his trademark defense with an equally effective attacking intent that often had the top seed shaking his head with frustration.

And whilst the Spaniard wasn’t at his best throughout, when he did come close to it in an enthralling second set Andy coolly played himself out of the pressure cooker.

He took the first set as he followed a break in game eight with three successive aces as he served it out.

And he retained the upper hand with the first break in the second set, as his continual probing of the Nadal backhand paid dividends once more.

But the Spaniard’s inevitable fightback came two games later. Much improved serving gave him a love hold, before a rasping forehand punished an uncharacteristically short ball in the next game to break back.

Holding comfortably, it was Nadal’s chance to seize the initiative once again as a double fault presented two break points.

But Andy stood firm and held, turning the pressure back up on his opponent with three break points of his own in the next game.

Converting those chances, he kept his nerve to serve out the match and book his place in the final.

“Each match I’ve started to play better,” said Andy afterward.

“Against Nalbandian was a good performance but today I think was better. Rafa’s obviously had an unbelievable season so far so to win against him in the first big hard court tournament is huge for the confidence.”

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