32 Gulf Daily News Wednesday, 28th January 2015 NADAL FALLS TO BERDYCH l Murray barges into semis MELBOURNE: Ironwilled Czech Tomas Berdych ended eight years of tyranny under nemesis Rafa Nadal to storm into the Australian Open semi-finals yesterday before his next opponent Andy Murray restored British colonial rule to the floodlit centre court. In the evening session, Murray struck back for the old guard, slapping down local teenager Nick Kyrgios 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3 to deflate home fans pumped up by the traditional sporting rivalry with former colonial masters Britain. But it was Nadal’s 6-2 6-0 7-6 (5) humbling on an unseasonably cold summer’s day that rocked Melbourne Park to its core and shook the biggest monkey in the men’s game off the back of Berdych. The big-serving Czech’s 17-match losing streak to the Spaniard was the equal-longest in the professional era and snapping it was the result of a perfectly executed plan. “Oh, it feels great,” Berdych told reporters. “Everything was working. I was able to execute it really well.” In an intriguing twist, the man that helped Berdych create the master plan was Dani Vallverdu, Murray’s former hitting partner and assistant coach, who parted ways with the Scot in November. Now in Berdych’s camp, Vallverdu will provide the intelligence for preparations against Murray. On the strength of Berdych’s tournament, the Venezuelan has been a roaring success, with the Czech not dropping a set. The rangy 29-year-old was irresistible in the first two sets against Nadal, wrapping them up in exactly an hour and giving the 14-times grand slam champion his first grand slam bagel since the 2006 Wimbledon final against Roger Federer. “It was just not my day. I didn’t play with the right intensity, the right rhythm,” said a disappointed Nadal, who was nonetheless content with his run after coming back from injury and illness. Black-clad Murray was all business against brash 19-year-old Kyrgios and needed to be for n Berdych celebrates after defeating Nadal much of a high-quality encounter on a chilly, windy evening. side of his opponent, who dumped Nadal from Kyrgios lifted to bring the crowd into the equa- Wimbledon on the way to the last eight. tion, but Murray rose with him, closing out the “I have seen his matches for the last 18 match with a barrage of scintillating winners. months... So I wasn’t going to underestimate “I tried to start as quickly as possible because him.” I know how dangerous he is,” Murray said court- Sharapova in semis; Today’s Order of Play – Page 31 Eto’o moves to Sampdoria LONDON: Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o has joined Serie A side Sampdoria from Everton, the Premier League club said yesterday. The four-times African Footballer of the Year, who moved to Everton in August and scored four goals in 20 appearances, has signed a two and a half year contract with Sampdoria. “We thank Samuel for his efforts and for bringing his know-how to the team,” manager Roberto Martinez told the club website. “On behalf of all Evertonians we wish him well for the next chapter in his career.” Eto’o, 33, helped Barcelona win the Champions League in 2009 and lifted the trophy again as an Inter Milan player the following year. He moved to Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala in 2011 in a deal that reportedly made him the highest paid footballer in the world before joining Chelsea in 2013. n Nations Cup venue switch MALABO: This weekend’s African Nations Cup quarter-finals have been moved away from the small Equatorial Guinea towns of Ebebiyin and Mongomo due to concerns over the pitches. Saturday’s quarter-final between the host nation and Tunisia, scheduled for the 5,000-capacity Estadio de Ebebiyin, has been shifted to Bata, the Confederation of African Football said yesterday. It will be played as the second match in a double-header also involving the derby between Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo. Sunday’s quarter-final in Mongomo between the winners of Group C and runners-up in Group D, will now be played as the opening match of two at the Estadio de Malabo. The first games will kick off at 7pm Bahrain time, with the second moved 30 minutes later than originally scheduled at 10.30pm Bahrain time. Published and printed by Dar Akhbar Al Khaleej Press and Publishing House (WLL). Editorial: P.O. Box 5300, Manama. Tel: 17620222. Fax: 17622141. GDN Online: http://www.gulf-daily-news.com. Email: [email protected]. Advertising: P.O. Box 1100, Manama. Tel: 17299110/17293131. Fax: 17293400. Email: [email protected]. Circulation Tel: 17290000. Founder: M AL MARDI. Chairman and Responsible Editor: ANWAR M ABDUL RAHMAN. Editor-in-Chief: GEORGE WILLIAMS