Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick will meet for the eighth time when the two former No. 1s square off in the Miami semis. Roddick trails Nadal 5-2 in their career head-to-head, but they have split their four matches on hard courts. Roddick defeated Nadal at the 2004 U.S. Open and at Dubai in 2008, while Nadal bested Roddick Indian Wells, twice, in 2007 and 2009.
Nadal is in the midst of an 11-month title drought but looked impressive in taking apart Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Roddick has also been playing well of late, reaching the Indian Wells final two weeks ago and cruising by Nicolas Almagro in the Miami quarters. However, Roddick hasn’t won a Masers Series shield since 2006, in Cincinnati.
“When you play against Andy it’s always is a big challenge,” Nadal said. “His serve, and he's a very good competitor. He's a winner. Gonna be very tough match. I think I have to play my best tennis to try to win."—M.C.