体坛英语新闻：Nadal beats Verdasco in straight sets into US Open semis

NEW YORK, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Top seed Rafael Nadal toppled Fernando Verdasco in straight sets to reach the last four of US Open here on Thursday though he allowed the sole break of this year's tournament.

It did not take long for Nadal to put a slightly slow start behind him and move one step closer to the only Grand Slam title he hasn't won.

Nadal put the match under his control by returning breaks twice in the first set and once in the next two sets apiece to edge out fellow Spaniard Verdasco 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.

Nadal's streak of 62 consecutive holds of serve ended, allowing Verdasco to break him at love to go ahead 2-1.

Nadal broke back in the eighth game thanks to Verdasco's two double faults. The eighth seed's first double fault delivered Nadal the advantage in deuce, then followed up with another double fault for serve break, levelling 4-4.

Nadal refused a tiebreak by breaking his opponent again in love at the 12th game, wrapping up the first set 7-5.

Nadal pulled off another break at the sixth game of second set. Verdasco tried to save a a much angled drive, but to see the return shot wide and trail the top seed 2-4. Nadal ended the second set in 6-3.

Nadal continued his dominance at the third set, breaking Verdasco's first serve and held on to win the set 6-4.

Nadal wouldn't face another break point the rest of the match, though, and won the last 13 points he served in the second set.