Nadal falls, Sharapova in semis

NEW YORK – Rafael Nadal was upset Wednesday in the US Open quarterfinals by 54th-ranked Mikhail Youzhny of Russia 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-1, thwarting an anticipated third-straight meeting against Roger Federer in the final of a Grand Slam.

“Unbelievable,” Youzhny said. “I cannot believe I beat Rafa in four sets.”Youzhny never before had been beyond the fourth round of a major tournament.Andy Roddick capped a busy day at Flushing Meadows by beating fellow former champion Leyton Hewitt 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals for the first time since he won the tournament in 2003.”Well, I guess I can play tennis a little bit again,” Roddick said.”I’m in a little bit of shock.It’s been a rough six months for me.I haven’t played too well.”Nadal, the two-time French Open champion and this year’s Wimbledon runner-up, succumbed at the end, hanging his head at changeovers in the fourth set after wasting a 5-4 lead in the tiebreaker.”I am trying to fight, but I wasn’t,” Nadal said.”I was not my best in the fourth, no? I know I lost a big opportunity.And after that, Mikhail is playing unbelievable …all winners.”On the other side of the men’s draw, the top-seeded Federer moved into a quarterfinal against fifth-seeded American James Blake, both winning in straight sets.That half’s other quarterfinal will be No.7 Nikolay Davydenko against No.14 Tommy Haas.Federer lost to Nadal in the French Open final, then returned the favor at Wimbledon.Roddick pounded 17 aces against Hewitt, considered the game’s top returner, and compiled a 46-28 edge in winners.Now the ninth-seeded Roddick will deal with Youzhny, who added a second upset Wednesday, teaming with Leos Friedl of the Czech Republic in men’s doubles to knock off the defending champions and top-seeded pair of American twins Bob and Mike Bryan 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2), 6-4 in the third round.There still could be a No.1 vs.No.2 final for the women, because top-seeded Amelie Mauresmo and Justine Henin-Hardenne advanced with relative ease.Coming off a three-set struggle against Serena Williams, Mauresmo beat No.12 Dinara Safina 6-2, 6-3 to move a step closer to her third Grand Slam title of the year.Mauresmo next faces No.3 Maria Sharapova, who beat No.27 Tatiana Golovin 7-6 (4), 7-6 (0).Henin-Hardenne defeated Lindsay Davenport 6-4, 6-4 in a showdown between former champions to set up a semi-final against No.19 Jelena Jankovic, who won Tuesday.Like Mauresmo, Federer is aiming for major title No.3 of 2006, but he’s aiming for No.9 of his career.The two-time defending champion won the first 12 points en route to a 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3 victory over Marc Gicquel.Blake, meanwhile, saved all 15 break points he faced and eliminated No.12 Tomas Bedrdych 6-4, 6-3, 6-1.The tournament lost another personality with 2000 US Open champion Marat Safin’s 4-6, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (5) exit against pal and practice partner Haas.Nampa-AP”I cannot believe I beat Rafa in four sets.”Youzhny never before had been beyond the fourth round of a major tournament.Andy Roddick capped a busy day at Flushing Meadows by beating fellow former champion Leyton Hewitt 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals for the first time since he won the tournament in 2003.”Well, I guess I can play tennis a little bit again,” Roddick said.”I’m in a little bit of shock.It’s been a rough six months for me.I haven’t played too well.”Nadal, the two-time French Open champion and this year’s Wimbledon runner-up, succumbed at the end, hanging his head at changeovers in the fourth set after wasting a 5-4 lead in the tiebreaker.”I am trying to fight, but I wasn’t,” Nadal said.”I was not my best in the fourth, no? I know I lost a big opportunity.And after that, Mikhail is playing unbelievable …all winners.”On the other side of the men’s draw, the top-seeded Federer moved into a quarterfinal against fifth-seeded American James Blake, both winning in straight sets.That half’s other quarterfinal will be No.7 Nikolay Davydenko against No.14 Tommy Haas.Federer lost to Nadal in the French Open final, then returned the favor at Wimbledon.Roddick pounded 17 aces against Hewitt, considered the game’s top returner, and compiled a 46-28 edge in winners.Now the ninth-seeded Roddick will deal with Youzhny, who added a second upset Wednesday, teaming with Leos Friedl of the Czech Republic in men’s doubles to knock off the defending champions and top-seeded pair of American twins Bob and Mike Bryan 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2), 6-4 in the third round.There still could be a No.1 vs.No.2 final for the women, because top-seeded Amelie Mauresmo and Justine Henin-Hardenne advanced with relative ease.Coming off a three-set struggle against Serena Williams, Mauresmo beat No.12 Dinara Safina 6-2, 6-3 to move a step closer to her third Grand Slam title of the year.Mauresmo next faces No.3 Maria Sharapova, who beat No.27 Tatiana Golovin 7-6 (4), 7-6 (0).Henin-Hardenne defeated Lindsay Davenport 6-4, 6-4 in a showdown between former champions to set up a semi-final against No.19 Jelena Jankovic, who won Tuesday.Like Mauresmo, Federer is aiming for major title No.3 of 2006, but he’s aiming for No.9 of his career.The two-time defending champion won the first 12 points en route to a 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3 victory over Marc Gicquel.Blake, meanwhile, saved all 15 break points he faced and eliminated No.12 Tomas Bedrdych 6-4, 6-3, 6-1.The tournament lost another personality with 2000 US Open champion Marat Safin’s 4-6, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (5) exit against pal and practice partner Haas.Nampa-AP