Rafael Nadal vs David Ferrer

     Despite all the hope that Ferrer could challenge defending champion Rafael Nadal in today's semi-final match up between the two Spaniards, David Ferrer failed to deliver the world class tennis he's been exhibiting throughout the tournament.  Nadal ran away with the match in just 1 hour 46 minutes with a scoreline that certainly did not resemble a grand slam semi-final match: 6-2 6-2 6-1.
     The 26 year old entered the match having not dropped a set and only losing one of 61 service games and a tremendous 15-4 head to head record against Ferrer.
     The defending champion barely looked troubled at all during the match.  The biggest difference in this match to Ferrer's previous matches at RG 2012 was the absence of his fierce play and aggressive tennis.  
     Ferrer came out strong and quickly earnt himself 3 break points with a series of ferocious forehands.  However, the King of clay denied Ferrer any hope of an early lead, quickly saving all 3 points before running away with the rest of the set- including two breaks of Ferrer's serve.  Ferrer's chance had come and gone, and he was unable to fully engage in the match thereafter.  
     With Ferrer's unforced errors count creeping up as the match continued, Nadal dominated play in the second set, even managing to win a point off Ferrer while on the floor after a fall by the net.  Come the fifth game of the second set, Ferrer was struggling to get a single ball in play and was no doubt extremely grateful of the rain break forced upon them from the unpredictable French weather. 
     The rain delay lasted just under an hour but seemed to not change a thing in the mindset of either player, with both picking up where they left off: Nadal dominating the court and Ferrer struggling to keep up.
     The third and final set went by in a flash and it seemed Nadal could do no wrong and Ferrer could do no right.  Ferrer's aggressive tennis made a brief appearance for a couple of points in one of his service games, however it was not enough to deter the World number 2 from his goal, and Nadal clinched the win with a cross court forehand.


     Up next, Djokovic vs Federer: the most anticipated match of the day. Can this match prove to be more of a battle?