Rafael Nadal sweeps past Tommy Robredo to extend

Rafael Nadal sweeps past Tommy Robredo to extend his perfect 2013 record on hard-courts and reach the U.S. Open semifinal vs. Richard Gasquet.

Based on the way Nadal is playing at the moment, it is hard to believe many players could beat him. A year after skipping the U.S. Open because of a bad left knee, Nadal powered his way back to the semifinals by overwhelming 19th-seeded Tommy Robredo 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 on Wednesday night.

He romped through the first set in just 22 minutes on Wednesday, allowing Robredo only five points, and was 2-0 up in the second before the 31-year-old got on the board.

A reporter asked Nadal whether he thinks he could beat Djokovic if they meet in Monday’s final.

“If I don’t play (a) great match against Richard,” Nadal replied, “I will see the final on TV.”