MADRID — Rafael Nadal reached his seventh consecutive final since returning from a knee injury, brushing aside wild-card entry Pablo Andujar 6-0, 6-4 at the Madrid Open on Saturday. MADRID — Rafael Nadal reached his seventh consecutive final since returning
MADRID — Rafael Nadal reached his seventh consecutive final since returning from a knee injury, brushing aside wild-card entry Pablo Andujar 6-0, 6-4 at the Madrid Open on Saturday.
Nadal had little trouble extending his winning streak in clay-court semifinals to 46 matches, quickly finishing his overmatched countryman after winning the first six games.
Nadal can win his fifth title since coming back from seven-month layoff healing his left knee.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better run of results,” said Nadal, a two-time champion in the Spanish capital. “Five months ago I wouldn’t have dreamed of this return. I want to thank all those who supported me through that time.”
The Spaniard will play Stanislas Wawrinka after the 15th-ranked Swiss recovered late to defeat Tomas Berdych 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova will meet for the No. 1 ranking and the women’s title after winning semifinals in straight sets.
Nadal dominated the outclassed Andujar.
The clay-court expert’s groundstrokes usually were enough to force Andujar to make errors — and if not, Nadal knew when to go for a winner or approach the net to finish off the point.
The worst moment for the 113th-ranked Andujar came when he ceded his third straight service game with a double fault.
But in the second set Andujar shook off his jitters and had three break points for a 4-2 lead, only for Nadal to hold his serve.
“I played a very, very good first set, playing aggressively,” Nadal said. “Pablo played more aggressively in the second set and had a chance at a break, but luckily it got away from him.”
Andujar continued to prove feisty, but Nadal hit a winner to set up a break point for 5-4 that he converted when Andujar’s drop shot fell short.
The top-ranked Williams will have a chance to win her 50th title after beating Sara Errani of Italy 7-5, 6-2. No. 2 Sharapova got her 500th win at all levels after defeating Ana Ivanovic 6-4, 6-3.
Sharapova has won all 10 sets she has played on Madrid’s outdoor red clay court. Williams, however, boasts a 12-2 record against the Russian.
After a skittish start, Williams dominated Errani and broke her final service game in both sets.
“I feel I played solid,” Williams said. “In the second set more than in the first, I made a few less errors, which is something I needed to do.”
The defending champion improved to 5-0 against the seventh-ranked Errani and to 30-2 this year.
Williams said Sharapova will pose a difficult challenge.
