Umag (Croatia), July 27: Top-seeded Carlos Moya of Spain downed teenage countryman Rafael Nadal, who was playing in his first ATP semifinal, 6-4, 6-4 Saturday in the US$452,000 Croatia Open. Nadal, who displayed determination, skills and energy, was far from being inferior against the defending champion, who served perfectly and didn't face a single break point.
Nadal, a fast rising tennis star ranked No. 58, beat Moya at the Hamburg Masters in May. The final will be Moya's third in a row at the Croatia Open. He won the tournament three times, in 1996, 2001 and '02.
Moya will face either Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia or Filippo Volandri of Italy. Bureau Report