Rusty Nadal suffers Toronto upset

TORONTO, Aug 11 (Reuters) A rusty Rafael Nadal lost 6-1 3-6 6-2 to Tomas Berdych at the Toronto Masters, ending hopes of a dream final against Roger Federer.

After cruising through the opening two rounds in straight sets, Nadal had appeared on a collision course for a Sunday showdown with arch-rival and world number one Federer.

But Berdych spoiled those plans with a gritty performance against the defending champion, who was playing in his first event since losing to Federer in the Wimbledon final.

Federer was scheduled to meet Russian Dmitry Tursunov for a place in the quarter-finals later yesterday.

While Nadal had advanced to the third round with minimum fuss, there were signs of rust from a month-long break all over his game which Berdych exploited to the full.

''I don't know if I'm a spectator if I want to see a Nadal-Federer final every week,'' said Berdych, who ended Federer's gold medal bid at the 2004 Olympics. ''I think it's good that there are some different finals.

''I hope I can win a couple more matches and maybe be with Roger in the final.'' The match was a contrast of styles and physiques, the muscular Spaniard taking on the lanky 14th-ranked Czech in a tense center court battle that lasted one hour, 48 minutes.

Berdych, seeking his first title of the season, made an impressive start, breaking Nadal early and sweeping through the opening set.

The Spaniard responded by breaking Berdych at the first opportunity in the second set, thumping his chest with a clenched fist as the crowd at the Rexall Center roared its approval.

With the match level at 1-1, Nadal scolded himself during the changeover but his pep talk did not help as Berdych came out and broke the French Open champion at the first opportunity and stormed into a 3-0 lead.

SECOND TIME The Czech then completed the upset in style, breaking Nadal a second time to set up a quarter-final meeting with Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

''I think when they (Nadal and Federer) go on court many opponents think they are already down a set because they fear them, they think they are Gods or whoever,'' said Berdych.

''I know him (Nadal) well because we are a similar age and we played matches in junior so I have no reason to be afraid of him.

''I just concentrate on my tennis and play my best.'' Earlier, Chilean Fernando Gonzalez booked his place in the quarter-finals, outlasting fourth seed Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia 6-4 6-7 7-6 in a three-hour center court marathon. Britain's Andy Murray continued his excellent run, easing past former French Open champion Carlos Moya of Spain 6-2 6-4.

With new coach Brad Gilbert watching from the stands, Murray, who reached his second final of the year last week in Washington, needed just 76 minutes to secure a place in his first Masters series quarter-final.

The 19-year-old Briton will play Jarkko Nieminen or Davide Sanguinetti for a place in the semis.

''He (Moya) has been one of best over last 10 years, he's won a grand slam and been number one in the world so it's a good win,'' said Murray, who beat compatriot Tim Henman in the second round.

''It was always going to be tough playing him from the back because he has huge forehand.

''But I played really well, played aggressive on his serve.'' Young Frenchman Gasquet, who upset fifth-seeded American James Blake in the second round, advanced with a 6-0 4-6 6-2 win over Spain's Fernando Verdasco. Argentine Jose Acasuso dispatched France's Julien Benneteau 6-3 7-6.

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