The Hindu : Sport : Only Nadal can beat Federer: Berdych

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Only Nadal can beat Federer: Berdych

— Photo: AFP

Tomas Berdych.

LONDON: Tomas Berdych can only see one man challenging Roger Federer at Wimbledon this year.

And that’s Rafael Nadal, the second-seeded Spaniard who beat him 7-6(1), 6-4, 6-2 on Friday in the quarterfinals.

“He’s not making a lot of mistakes,” Berdych said. “He’s trying to play similar game like on the clay.

“If Roger is not in this time, he’s going to be first.”

Berdych said Nadal’s chances of ending Federer’s four-year winning streak at the All England Club were improving because the grass courts seemed to be getting slower each year.

“I think this time the grass is not what it was like in the past,” Berdych said. “It was just for players who were just serve-and-volleyers and that was it. Now the grass is much slower.”

After two five-set matches, Nadal’s quick win on Friday could be a sign that he is getting used to the surface.

Windy weather

Some players may be wishing the rain at Wimbledon had carried just a little longer.

The wet weather finally stopped long enough for the men to play their quarterfinal matches on Friday, but was replaced by windy conditions that troubled several players.

“It is always very difficult to beat him in any conditions,” said Ferrero, who lost to Roger Federer. “But today, you know, were the worst conditions to feel the ball.

“It was almost impossible to hit the ball three times (in a row) nicely. It was very difficult to play out there.”

Berdych said, “I don’t like these kinds of conditions on the court. It depends on the player who can play with these conditions better. It’s not me. I have still a lot to learn how to play in such windy conditions.” — AP

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