Results for January 30, 2009

Men's singles

Semi-finals

Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) bt Fernando Verdasco (ESP x14) 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (1/7), 6-4

Nadal ends Verdasco run

Rafael Nadal fought to the end of his semifinal match against fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, and finally sealed a victory with a score of 67(4) 64 76(2) 67(1) 64.

Verdasco power looked capable of causing an upset as he fired a total of 95 winners, but Nadal mentally wore him down to take the match and get to his first Australian Open final.

He will face his long-time rival, Roger Federer in Sunday's final.

Results for January 29, 2009

Men's singles

Semifinals

Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Andy Roddick (USA x7) 6-2, 7-5, 7-5

Federer aims for 14th Grand Slam crown

Roger Federer continues to show his superb form with a straight sets win over Andy Roddick. Federer hit 11 forehand winners in the opening set and broke Roddick twice to take the first set 62. Roddick then found his serve to put Federer under pressure, but Federer managed to brake in the 11th game of the second and third set to close out the match. The score was 62 75 75. 

Federer will take on either Rafael Nadal or Fernando Verdasco in Sunday's final. Federer has a 6-12 head to head over Nadal, and a 2-0 head to head over Verdasco.

Connors to work for Tennis Channel

Former number one Jimmy Connors is to return to the TV broadcast booth at this year's U.S. Open. He will be broadcasting coverage for the Tennis Channel.

Connors hasn't been a TV announcer for a U.S. network since 1991, when he was calling matches for NBC. The eight-time Grand Slam winner though is most closely associated with the U.S. Open, and footage from his amazing run to the 1991 semifinals at the U.S. Open at the age of 39 is often the time-filler of choice when there are rain delays at Flushing Meadows.

The Tennis Channel will also air part of all the Grand Slam's this year for the first time.