体坛英语新闻：Nadal, Azarenka reach US Open semis with easy victories

NEW YORK, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Rafael Nadal and Victoria Azaranka, seeded second respectively for the men's and women's pools, chalked up comfortable victories en route to the 2013 U.S. Open semi-finals on Sunday.

Nadal needed only 100 minutes to overwhelm Spanish compatriot Tommy Robredo, who had eliminated five-time U.S. Open champion Roger Federer in the previous round, 6-0, 6-2, 6-2.

"I'm sure that's the way I have to play to keep having chances to be successful in every surface, but especially on this one," said Nadal. "I was able to do it today. I hope to be able to do it in two days."

Nadal, who used to be judged as a clay master, has won 20 straight matches on hard court in this season.

The eighth seed Richard Gasquet became the first Frenchman to reach U.S. Open men's singles semi-finals in 14 years after beating David Ferrer from Spain 3-2.

Ferrer lost the first two sets 3-6, 1-6, but battled back in the following two - 6-4, 6-2 to level the score.

Both players worked hard to keep their service games in the fifth set. Gasquet forced two break points in the sixth game, and the 27-year-old Frenchman seized the first one to establish a 4-2 lead.

Ferrer and Gasquet then held serve until the ninth game, in which Gasquet hit a couple of big serves to end the match 3-2.

Nadal was to meet Gasquet in the semi-finals.

Azarenka, 24, brushed aside Daniela Hantuchova 6-2, 6-3, becoming the only player under 30 years old in women's last four. The world number two set up a battle against Italian veteran Flavia Pennetta, who beat 10th seed Roberta Vinci in an earlier match.