Despite a first serve percentage of only 46% in the first set, world number three Novak Djokovich had all the answers in his semi-final bout with the heir apparent Rafael Nadal whose playing style looked decidedly old in the first set. Nadal's perennial tactic of topping balls into his opponent's backhand found little joy as the Serb returned them with interest and plugged the Nadal forehand, normally his most effective weapon.

It has to be said that Nadal didn't do a great deal wrong or different from what he has been doing for the last few months, a game plan that relies on his opponent's inability to hit over the shoulder backhands but, as has been pointed out on other threads, players with solid double handed backhands are well equipped to dispatch such lobbing, dipping balls and that's what happened last night in Cincinnati.

Nadal is phenomenally consistent and his ability to defend well and force his opponent to play one more ball is renowned but for anyone looking for a way to beat the Spaniard, Djoko provided the formula. Attention: Roger Federer.

Personally, I found it difficult not to think of Federer during this match, and what he must do if he is to reassert himself against Nadal. The average rally in the first set consisted of 4 strokes, 8 in the second.

Nole's first serve percentage did rise in the second set, during which he also saved a single break point at 2-3, a protracted rally of 28 strokes in which he was tested to his limits but when he finally won it, forcing Nadal into error, there was a clear sense that it was going to be his evening.

Nadal served a healthy 58% (with a single ace) but Djoko's ability to consistently return the Nadal serve down the middle of the court, low and with pace, prevented Nadal from dictating the play as he normally does, and as he normally likes to do.

After the first set, where Nadal held serve just once, serving at 0-5, the big question was whether Djoko could hang on and stay with the Spaniard whose ability to turn matches around is well known, all at the ripe old age of 22.

Well, Djoko wasn't going to be denied and after saving the break in the 6th game of the second set, finally started to put pressure on the Nadal serve, something he hadn't done effectively til 5-5, and, maintaining his pressure on the Nadal forehand while pushing him into sliced unforced errors at the baseline, Djoko broke for 6-5 and served out the match for 7-5.

Djoko won over 60% of the points played (102) at 59 while Nadal managed 43. 6-1, 7-5.

Djoko now plays Andy Murray whose ranking rises to an all time high of 6th in the world. Murray beat Karlovic, breaking his serve 4 times and of course it was Murray who beat Djoko last week in Canada so the final promises to be a thriller if both players can maintain their recent form.

It's 'unfortunate' for Nadal that the hardcourt season lasts 9 months bacause as long as Nole stands in his way, on hardcourt, the Serb is more likely to prevail.