• Western & Southern Open

Suffering Nadal surprised by Fish as Federer also loses

Mardy Fish was delighted to finally defeat Rafael Nadal © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Profile: Novak Djokovic | Roger Federer | Mardy Fish | Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal's poor play finally caught up with him as he suffered defeat to the in-form American Mardy Fish at the Western & Southern Open.

After surviving a three-set drama against Fernando Verdasco on Thursday, Nadal - who was hampered by burns to his right hand after an accident at a Japanese restaurant - finally found he could no longer win despite playing a long way from his best - as Fish bossed him around the court on the way to a 6-3 6-4 victory.

It was the first win for the seventh seeded American against Nadal, after six defeats in previous meetings. Fish admitted he felt comfortable on court in Cincinnati and was able to take advantage of Nadal's difficulties.

"This is one of my favourite events. I've had great memories here. He's kicked my butt six times so to get one over him was great," Fish said afterwards. "I'm so much more confident right now, and if I was to choose any surface and any court [to play on] right now it might be this one. I'm just so comfortable here."

Both players started strongly - although there was an early hint that Nadal was not his usual self as he stopped a rally to challenge a call, incorrectly as it transpired, in the very first game. As the set went on Nadal's usually deadly forehand let him down - spraying long and wide on multiple occasions as Fish found the break he needed to move ahead.

In the second set Fish did not take long to take his opponent's serve, with Nadal venting an uncharacteristic amount of anger at the umpires and himself for some questionable calls and poor shot selection. Fish, however, was unfazed - surviving one break point opportunity for his opponent with the score at 4-3, before eventually serving out the match to love two games later.

Fish will now play Andy Murray in the semi-finals.

"I think I can beat anyone right now," he said. "I played Novak [Djokovic] very well last week in the final. Andy's one of the best players in the world, but I'm as confident as I've ever been."

Nadal, meanwhile, will wonder what he needs to rediscover before the US Open begins in just over a week.

That wasn't the only shock of the day, however, as Roger Federer also suffered defeat against the impressive Tomas Berdych.

In a match that shared many similarities with the earlier upset, Berdych burst out of the blocks with a fine display of power and shot-making, a combination that led to an eventual 6-2 7-6(3) victory.

Federer got off to a sluggish start that his opponent was quick to exploit, finding two breaks that were enough to secure the opening stanza. The second set was closer fought but the Swiss legend's attempts to get back into the match were thwarted by Berdych time after time,as he employed an array of shots to prevent Federer getting a break point opportunity.

Indeed it was actually Berdych who came closer to breaking the deadlock, although he ultimately saw all three of his break point opportunities prevented by Federer - who was below his best but nevertheless pulled off the occasional breathtaking stroke.

That sent the second set to a tiebreak - one that would soon see Berdych move clear as Federer forced a couple of crucial forehand shots wide. Berdych soon had three match points and took the first of them: A clinical backhand across court giving Federer no chance and consigning a second big name to defeat with not long until the final grand slam of the year.

Novak Djokovic also struggled in his encounter with Frenchman Gael Monfils, as the world No. 1 did just enough to progress to the semi-finals. Djokovic ultimately prevailed 3-6 6-4 6-3, but looked less than convincing as he battled back from a set down.

Indeed, the Serbian lost his opening service game of the match and made a number of uncharacteristic errors during the contest. However, in what must be an ominous warning to his upcoming opponents in next month's US Open, Djokovic found a way to claim the second and third sets against the sixth-seeded Monfils.

Djokovic will now take on Berdych as he attempts to qualify for his 10th ATP tournament final of the year.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.