Rafael Nadal dismissed Mikhail Youzhny 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 to reach his first career final at the US Open.
Nadal could become the sixth man in the post-1968 Open era to reach the final of all four Grand Slams. The New York event is the only one of the majors that eight-time Grand Slam champion Nadal has not won.
“This is a dream, I’m gonna play the final for the first time on the biggest centre court of world,” said Nadal. “I’ve tried my best here for a lot of years and after the work I’m in the final.
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“It feels like home here, it’s unbelievable. This win was important for my confidence. Maybe Mikhail was a bit more tired after playing longer matches than I had.”
Nadal dominated 12th seed Youzhny as he earned revenge for a 2006 loss in New York to the Russian, who played his only other Grand Slam semi that year. Nadal now stands 11-3 in final-four matches at the majors.
Nadal becomes the first Spanish finalist at the event since Juan Carlos Ferrero, who lost to Andy Roddick in 2003.
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Nadal won his 20th match in a row at a Grand Slam after taking titles at Roland Garros (his fifth) and Wimbledon (his second) this season.
The Spaniard stormed through over Youzhny to take an 8-4 lead in their series, winning five of their last six matches dating to 2007.
Nadal required a re-taping early in the second set after going about his lethal business with two breaks of the Russian in the opening set to take the lead.
The top-seed entered the match without having dropped a set and had lost just one service game from 77 prior to Saturday.
Youzhny was unable to rally, with Nadal earning a break for 5-3 in the second set and claiming the runaway lead a game later as he set up three set points with only his second ace. Nadal lost serve for only his second time when Youzhny broke for 4-all in the third set before losing his lead a game later.