Nadal wraps up rain-interrupted victory over error-prone Gonzalez to reach US Open semis

September 13th, 2009 NEW YORK - Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal could brighten up what has been a dreary few days at the US Open if both can ignore the scheduling and weather crisis that have again wrecked the programme at the last of the 2009 majors. Federer, on the march towards a sixth straight title at the event where he has not lost since 2003, will play Novak Djokovic Sunday, more than three days after both men moved through into the final four.

September 13th, 2009 NEW YORK - Argentine Juan Del Potro denied deflated Rafael Nadal a place in a career-first US Open final as he reached his first Grand Slam final, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 over the Spaniard Sunday. Sixth-ranked del Potro took advantage of Nadal's lingering abdominal muscle strain which has bothered him for a month, putting his own huge game into gear for the rapid-fire victory in two hours, 22 minutes.

September 12th, 2009 Nadal resumes, and advances in a breeze at US OpenNEW YORK — After a day of waiting around, Rafael Nadal finally got back on the court. About a half hour later, he was still looking for some action.

September 12th, 2009 Rain relents as Nadal advances in a breeze at OpenNEW YORK — After a day of waiting around, Rafael Nadal finally got back on the court. About half an hour later, he was still looking for some action.

September 12th, 2009 NEW YORK - US Open officials Friday admitted defeat on a full day of demoralizing rain, with play cancelled and the event now set to end on Monday for the second consecutive year. The women's semifinals between Kim Clijsters and second-seeded and holder Serena Williams and between Danish ninth seed Caroline Wozniacki and Belgian outsider Yanina Wickmayer were both called off late afternoon.

September 12th, 2009 Nadal finally wins; no decision on roof at OpenNEW YORK — Rafael Nadal has no way of knowing how his aching stomach muscles will feel when he plays in the U.S. Open semifinals.

September 11th, 2009 NEW YORK - US Open officials admitted partial defeat on a day of demoralizing rain, with women's semi-finals cancelled and the conclusion of the interrupted men's quarter-finals between Rafael Nadal and Fernando Gonzalez in danger from the weather. Kim Clijsters and second-seeded holder Serena Williams were both told late afternoon that their match would not go on.

September 11th, 2009 NEW YORK - Argentine Juan del Potro won a battle of 20-year-olds with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 comeback over Croatian Marin Cilic to make his biggest career impression at a Grand Slam by reaching the US Open semi-final. Sixth-seeded Del Potro shrugged off an opening set to forget, turning the tide in the second set and never breaking stride to post the victory with his momentum running away here Thursday.

September 10th, 2009 Djokovic beats Verdasco to reach US Open semisNEW YORK — Novak Djokovic has reached the U.S. Open semifinals for the third consecutive year.

September 8th, 2009 NEW YORK — Rafael Nadal has eliminated Gael Monfils in the U.S. Open to reach the quarterfinals.

June 8th, 2009 Federer closes gap with Nadal; Soderling risesPARIS — Roger Federer's French Open victory cut the points gap between him and No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the ATP rankings by more than half.

June 3rd, 2009 Federer into French semis for 5th year in a rowPARIS — Roger Federer moved within two victories of completing a career Grand Slam at the French Open by beating 11th-seeded Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-2, 6-4 Wednesday. Federer reached the semifinals for the 20th consecutive Grand Slam tournament, extending his own record.

June 3rd, 2009 Soderling to face Gonzalez in French Open semisPARIS — When the French Open ends, Robin Soderling wants to be remembered for more than merely stopping Rafael Nadal's four-year reign. Soderling wants to succeed Nadal as champion.

June 2nd, 2009 Soderling follows Nadal upset by reaching semisPARIS — Robin Soderling of Sweden has followed his French Open upset of Rafael Nadal by beating Nikolay Davydenko in the quarterfinals. The 23rd-seeded Soderling won the first five games Tuesday and never was in trouble during a 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 victory over the 10th-seeded Davydenko.

May 31st, 2009 Gonzalez, Cibulkova reach quarterfinals at FrenchPARIS — Fernando Gonzalez became the first player to reach the quarterfinals at this year's French Open, beating Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 Sunday. Gonzalez, who reached the 2007 Australian Open final, ended the match with his 21st forehand winner.