Rafa through ... just.

Rafa. Don't do that again.

He said he was nervous. Hell, we're all nervous!! David Nalbandian is one of the original Rafaslayers so there's always a chance. And yep, Nalby played great in that first set, causing enough pressure to give Rafa the jitters when serving at 4-5 and bang, before you know it ... set over.

It was back and forth, back and forth in the second, until it was Nalby's turn to be nervous when serving at 5-5 and a double fault gave the break to Rafa. He didn't waste any time and served it out for 7-5.

Game on.

And then the pattern of their matches made its usual course with Rafa clicking into gear and romping away with a double break. He served for it at 5-2, and fluffed it. He then served for it at 5-4, and the nerves came back again as he went 15-40 down. With another break looming and me praying to Jesus, Mary, Joseph and any passing Saint who was listening, he saved the break points and finally won the match.

Phew.

Roger peRFect Federer awaits him in the semi's. Once he's stopped talking about time between points and how slow the courts are that is.