(updates after Davydenko-Roddick match)
By Sandra Harwitt
MIAMI, Florida, April 4 - World number two Rafael
Nadal will face fourth-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko in the
Sony Ericsson Open final after semi-final victories on Friday.
The Spaniard, who reeled off the last 12 points of the
match, beat Czech Tomas Berdych 7-6 6-2 in windy conditions,
while Davydenko beat Andy Roddick of the United States by the
same scoreline.
Roddick looked a shade of the player who beat world number
one Roger Federer on Thursday and gave Davydenko his first
victory in their six career matches.
Nadal holds a 2-0 record against Davydenko in their career
meetings.
"For me (it's) going to be very important because to play a
final in a Masters Series event, up against the big players, I
know I need to play at my best level," Nadal told reporters.
He took 70 minutes to snatch a close-fought opening set,
winning the tiebreak 8-6 on his seventh set point after 10th
seed Berdych double-faulted for the first time.
The second seed then breezed through the next set.
"I think I am playing this tournament very well and today
was a great match too," said Nadal. "The first set was tough,
especially at the end, because I had a lot of chances.
"The beginning of the set was very important. I had to be
very concentrated with my serve because it was very tough in
the wind."
Roddick and Davydenko produced a high quality first set,
but the Russian was the only player able to maintain the
intensity in the second.
Roddick took a 2-1 advantage with a service break in the
second set, but surrendered the advantage in the next game when
he dropped serve.
Davydenko broke again, on his fourth opportunity, with a
forehand crosscourt in the sixth game and sealed victory in the
eighth when a Roddick forehand dropped into the net.
(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)