World Sport News

The first world number Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open beat Mardy Fish and reached the semifinal. In an interview with the official website of the tournament Rafa spoke about the importance of this event and shared his thoughts about his next opponent, Andy Murray.
Magnificent match, Rafael. Tell us about how it formed and what you felt during the game. As the atmosphere?
Yes, the atmosphere is great, is not it? He (Mardy Fish – prim.per) started well and healthy filed. And on the back line played very well too. He made a break, and I have had chances, but he made very well. Of course, for me it was important to win, and how. Very happy to be in the semifinals. This is an important event in my career: to play in the semifinals of Grand Slam tournaments in one season. It's exciting and very important to me.
You play with an American, but throughout the match the public support you. Did you feel supported?
The public has always treated me well, no? Always. I arrived here two and a half weeks ago, and all this time, they supported me. I can only thank them for it.
You played with Andy on clay, hard, grass. And everywhere you won it, but it remains a very strong player.
He plays very well and this summer he got successful. Quarterfinals at Wimbledon semifinals in Toronto, a victory in Cincinnati. So tcho, it certainly is a very good player. He is the fourth world number, no? So the match will be difficult.
On this cover he is more dangerous, or at Wimbledon, he was stronger?
I always respect him, and at Wimbledon, and elsewhere. I know that Andy is a good player. But I also know that to win I just need to show my best tennis, is not it? I played very well with him at Wimbledon, it was one of my best games out there, beat him in the semifinals in Toronto, although the match was stubborn. Important for me to show the maximum that I can, and then all chances of victory will be mine.
You not worried that the match started at 11.30 pm?
Well, it was unusual. Of course, this is not the best time for tennis. Sometimes the schedule as heavy as here or in Australia, so having a hard time. In this nothing can be done, we can only go to court and show the best game.
Perhaps it would be a nice story to tell the children – as you've played one match more than two days. Began on Wednesday, finished on Thursday.
Perhaps.
Do you vast experience semifinals and Andy had never reached that stage. What it gives you?
I think nothing. I'm not from the 50th ranking number for which the semi-finals – Fiction. When Andy came here, it may well have to rely on semi-finals and even win, no? Yes, for it is the first semifinal, but he has played in serious games. I do not think that it is something unexpected.
You start to play at full strength with the first set or added in the course?
I always play at full from the start. Throughout his career, I realized that it is important to a good start the match, and always try to do so. But today he started better than me. Still, in the first game of the I had a break-point.
But you are unhappy with how to play?
I am not happy?
Yes.
If there had been dissatisfied with the semi-finals US Open, it was an idiot. For me it's a great result. I have already spoken. Yes, I do not play like two or three weeks ago in Beijing. Yes, I do not play, as in Beijing. But when you're in the semifinals, then you can always find something good, right? I'm playing well, and I have at least one match to another to add. Today I feel better than in previous days, and to the semi-finals will be ready by 100%.
You've had many great achievements this year. Now you have overcome the first quarter US Open. This is for you to achieve?
Be in the semis?
Yes, to be in the semifinals.
So after all everyone wants to play well everywhere. And my goal is the same, perform well anywhere. In the past I've played here is not very good, right? And here I am in the semifinals, and whatever happens next, we can say that the tournament will be successful. I'm happy to reach this stage, because the season is very long and I'm already a little tired. All well formed, and then I progressed, is not it?
You said that you were tired when we arrived at the tournament. Now you have recovered?
I think I have a prohibitive motivation.

Translation: Sergey Frolov, Down-the-line.com

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