Wimbledon, Men’s Semifinals: Rafael Nadal Beats Murray In Straight Sets, Will Play Tomas Berdych In Sunday’s Final

No. 2 Rafael Nadal came back from down 4-2 in the third set against No. 4 Andy Murray, winning the last four games to take the match 6-4, 7-6(6), 6-4.

Murray got an early break to open the third set and get himself into the match, but even as he trailed early on it was clear the momentum had not left Nadal. He constantly pressured Murray on every point, grinding away until eventually Murray buckled.

No. 2 Rafael Nadal is only a set away from what would be (not including 2009 which he missed to injury) his fourth consecutive appearance in the Wimbledon final.

Neither could break serve during the second set, but it was a much tighter affair than the first, with almost every game going to deuce.

After staying on serve with eight routine games, this match broke open in the ninth game, as Rafael Nadal broke a discouraged Murray for 5-4.

Murray hasn’t had any looks so far on Nadal’s serve, which is not as much because Nadal is serving bombs as it is that’ he’s consistently getting first strike in the rallies after some uninspired Murray returns.

No. 12 Tomas Berdych has defeated No. 3 Novak Djokovic 6-3, 7-6(9), 6-3 for his first career victory over Djokovic and, more importantly, a spot in Sunday’s Wimbledon final.

Another double fault at a crucial juncture by Djokovic turned out to be costly. down break point at 3-4, giving Berdych a chance to serve for the final at 5-3.

No. 12 Tomas Berdych appears to be feeling no nerves his first Wimbledon semifinal, coming out striking the ball much more crisply and powerfully than No. 3 Novak Djokovic, who has been forced into defense on most every exchange.

If Djokovic doesn’t gain his footing quickly in the second, this match could be over with pretty quickly.

Three of the top four seeds in the draw made the semifinals of Gentlemen’s Singles draw, so it could be said that the tournament has played out pretty much as expected. But since the one top-four seed missing is six-time Wimbledon champion No. 1 Roger Federer, that means this still a surprising final four.

No. 12 Tomas Berdych (CZE) vs. No. 3 Novak Djokovic (SRB) -- The much-anticipated rematch of the 2009 Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick gives way to a decidedly less-anticipated but still intriguing semifinal between No. 3 Novak Djokovic and No. 12 Tomas Berdych.