'I'm almost perfect'

2008-07-03 12:22

London - Rafael Nadal admitted on Thursday that his brutal Wimbledon destruction of hapless Andy Murray was virtually perfect.

The Spanish world number two brushed aside Britain's last hope 6-3 6-2 6-4 to set up a comfortable-looking semi-final with either Rainer Schuettler or Arnaud Clement.

Barring a major upset, the 22-year-old French Open winner is set for a third successive Wimbledon final with Roger Federer who tackles Marat Safin in his semi-final.

Nadal didn't face a single break point against Murray who, in turn, described the Spaniard's rocket-powered forehand as "ridiculous" before tipping the Mallorcan to beat five-time champion Federer in Sunday's final.

Even Nadal, who was agonisingly close to snatching the world number one's title in a five-set final epic in 2007, admits there is little he needs to work on.

"If I play like I did against Andy, especially the second set, there's not a lot of things," he said.

'The slice is better'

"With the second half of the first set and especially the second set, this was probably my best match here.

"I think I'm doing a lot of things better than last year. The slice is better. My position on court is better. I'm playing more aggressive with the forehand all the time, and the backhand is feeling good."

There hasn't been a Spanish men's singles champion at Wimbledon since Manuel Santana in 1966, but Murray, having been on the receiving end of Nadal's latest assault, believes the second seed is poised to end that long wait.

"If he plays that well and returns like that, I think he's very close to being the favourite to win in the tournament," admitted the 12th seed.

"He's played some great tennis. I think he's got a very good chance of winning. He was close last year, and I think he's playing better than he was last year."

Victory on Sunday would see Nadal, already a four-time French Open champion, become only the third man in history to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year.

The last man to do so was Bjorn Borg in 1980.

"Last year was close," said Nadal. "Only one more point and probably I would have the trophy in my home. It was disappointing to have another plate.

"I'll have to play very well if I want to win this tournament. I am playing well, but I don't know if it is enough."

- AFP