Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic reached the 2010 Toronto semi-final, standing in the last four for the first time since Cincinnati 12 months ago. The top seed and two-time Canada Masters champion Nadal beat Stan Wawrinka, Kevin Anderson and Philipp Kohlschreiber to advance into the last four.
Not playing at his best, Nadal experienced a 6-3, 6-4 loss to Murray in an hour and 44 minutes. The Spaniard finished on the losing side for the sixth time that year, not chasing another notable title after Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
It was their 12th meeting and the fourth victory for the Briton, who avenged the Wimbledon loss a few weeks ago and set the title clash against Roger Federer. Andy served at 46% and did his best to stay competitive. He fended off five out of six break chances and delivered three breaks that carried him over the top.
Andy Murray scored his fourth victory over Rafael Nadal in Toronto 2010.
Murray was the more aggressive player, hitting more winners and forcing more mistakes from Nadal to control the pace.
The Briton toppled the Spaniard in the shortest and more advanced rallies, forging the advantage and bringing the victory home to remain on the title course. Andy held at 15 in the encounter’s opening game with a service winner before Rafa brought the second home at love to get his name on the scoreboard.
Murray landed a forehand winner to grab the third game and wasted a break chance in the next one that could have sent him ahead. The 4th seed painted another ace in the fifth game and sprayed a forehand mistake a few minutes later to keep Nadal on the positive side.The seventh game brought extended battle.
Rafa squandered two break chances that could have given him the lead, doing his best but failing to make an extra step. With momentum on his side, Murray grabbed a break a few minutes later when his rival netted a backhand and held at 15 with a forehand winner in the next one for 6-3 after 49 minutes.
Nadal had another loose moment behind the initial shot at 1-1 in the second set. He sent a backhand wide to suffer a break and fall behind. The Spaniard pulled it back with a rare forehand winner in game six to level the score at 3-3.
In one of the pivotal moments, Andy defended two break chances in game eight and broke Rafa in the next one thanks to another weak backhand from the Spaniard. Serving for the victory at 5-4, Murray fired a service winner to seal the deal and move into his sixth Masters 1000 final.
