Ferrer crushes Nadal’s ‘Rafa Slam’ dreams with straight-set Oz Open win
By ANIWednesday, January 26, 2011
MELBOURNE - World No.1 Rafael Nadal’s hopes of winning a fourth consecutive Grand Slam title have evaporated after being beaten by World No.7 David Ferrer at the Australian Open on Wednesday.
Ferrer cruised past his fellow Spaniard in their quarter-final match 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 at Melbourne Park.
Ferrer will now face World No.5 Andy Murray in the semi-final on Friday, Sky Sports reports.
The scoreline, however, does not tell the whole story of the match, as Nadal was hampered by a leg injury from the third game of the first set.
He took a lengthy medical timeout early in the first set and emerged with heavy strapping on his left leg.
An Australian Open win for Nadal would have made him the first player to hold all four majors since Rod Laver in 1969.
Nadal currently holds the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles. (ANI)
