Nadal downs Moya in marathon tussle to enter final

Chennai, Jan 5 (UNI) Gladiatorial battles have been many but the second semi final of the Chennai Open-2008 between the two Spaniards, top seed Rafael Nadal, the world no two and third seed world no 17 Carlos Moya could have easily been among the most intense with Nadal winning 6-7(3), 7-6(8), 7-6(1) to enter the final.

The three hour 55 minute battle ultimately bowled down to the third set tie break after Moya fisrt broke Nadal for a 3-2 lead and Nadal breaking back in the 11th game to lead 6-5 and Moya holding serve to level 6-6.

In the tie break Moya returned poorly and Nadal raced to a 5-0 lead and dropped a point before winning 6-1 as Moya hit the ball out again.

In his third appearance in Chennai, Nadal reached his first final, after having been ousted early in 2001 and in the semifinal last year.

He will meet Youzhny in the final tomorrow for his first title in the new season and in Chennai Open.

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