Rafael Nadal is on the verge of winning his first grass-court title after an impressive victory over defending champion Andy Roddick in the semi-finals of the Artois Championships.
Roddick had triumphed at Queen's in four of the last five years and was seeking a record fifth title, but was no match for the French Open champion on centre court.
One break of serve in each set was enough to give Nadal a 7-5 6-4 victory in 87 minutes and the top seed will face either Novak Djokovic or David Nalbandian in Sunday's final.
‘It was a very important match for me against the best player at Queen's, a four-time winner and defending champion,’ said Nadal, who won his fourth French Open title in a row at Roland Garros just six days ago.
‘I'm very happy to be in the final, it's very important for me to start the grass-court season like this and to beat a specialist like Andy.
‘I thought Andy was the favourite today, on grass he is a very, very good player with an amazing serve but today I played very, very well.’
Roddick saved three break points in the third game of the opening set but the former US Open champion was powerless to stop a superb forehand winner down the line which gave Nadal the break in the 11th game, and the Spaniard served out after saving four break points to take the set 7-5.
Roddick again found himself facing three break points in the fifth game of the second set but looked like digging himself out of trouble.
The 25-year-old American saved the first two with ease but then shanked an easy forehand into the stands to gift Nadal the break and a 3-2 lead.
This time Nadal did not need to save any break points as he served out the rest of the set to claim a memorable win over a fellow two-time Wimbledon finalist.
Roddick had no complaints about the result and was generous in his praise of Nadal.
‘He played well today, there is no question,’ said Roddick, who missed the French Open with a shoulder injury.
‘I was pretty pleased with the way I hit the ball. He just beat me.
‘He is just so match-sharp right now. He is almost on cruise control from playing so many matches. It's not exactly a surprise he is an extremely capable grasscourt player, he has proved that.
‘I was fighting an uphill battle today but I wanted to come and get some matches under my belt and leave healthy, and I've done that. I've pulled up better than expected.’
