Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are to play in a U.S. event for the first time in six years after both advanced into the semifinals of the Miami Masters.
Nadal, treated at least three times on court for a sore right arm, managed to win a rematch of the summer’s Wimbledon final as he put out Czech seventh seed, Tomas Berdych, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
“I think it is nothing important for sure,” Nadal said of his pains on court. “I felt like the nerve was inflamed. ... For sure, my arm is not going to affect the match.”
Federer, seeded third, needed just nine minutes and 15 points to advance into the final four when injured opponent Gilles Simon retired while trailing 3-0. The Frenchman could not go on because of a stiff neck, a problem that surfaced last month in Rotterdam.
Federer was caught by surprise as his opponent quit soon after the start. Simon got a harsh goodbye from a disappointed crowd.
“It’s not a whole lot of fun to see the guy being booed off the court, which he clearly doesn’t deserve,” said Federer.
“I understand the frustration from the people paying a lot of money to come see us play, for multiple hours potentially, and then it’s over within 10 minutes,” he said. “I think we played 15 points, so it’s not great.”
Sharapova rolls on
In the women’s semifinal, Maria Sharapova turned the tables on German Andrea Petkovic, winning eight games in a row on the way to a 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 victory to reach a third career final.
She is to play for the title against 2009 winner Victoria Azarenka after the eighth seed beat number three Vera Zvonareva of Russia 6-0, 6-3.
