AUSTRALIAN OPEN: Tomas Berdych sends Nadal Packing

Tomas Berdych defeated Spaniard Rafael Nadal in straight sets 6-2 6-0 7-6 to progress into the semi-finals of the Australian Open, in Melbourne.

Berdych avoided becoming the first man to lose 18 straight tour-level matches against a single player. It marked his first win over Nadal since the 2006 Madrid quarter-finals.

The 29-year-old Czech has not dropped a set this fortnight, and awaits the winner between three-time finalist Andy Murray and 19-year-old Australian Nick Kyrgios who face off in the night session. Berdych also reached the semi-finals last year in Melbourne (l. to Wawrinka).

Source: Atpworldtour.com

Injured! Nadal ruled out of US Open

Spaniard Rafael Nadal will not be playing at the US Open owing to a wrist injury he's been battling with since his exit from the Wimbledon Open in July.

The 28 -year old took to face book to announce his unavailability to his fans and the entire Tennis world which reads: ''I am very sorry to announce I won’t be able to play at this year’s US Open a tournament on which I’ve played three consecutive finals in my last participations.

''I am sure you understand that it is a very tough moment for me since it is a tournament I love and where I have great memories from fans, the night matches, so many things

''Not much more I can do right now, other than accept the situation and, as always in my case, work hard in order to be able to compete at the highest level once I am back.”

Nadal won the US Open title last year, defeating Novak Djokovic in a keenly contested final.