Rafael Nadal takes on Mikhail Youzhny in the US Open semi-finals later today.

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Nadal is in the US Open semi-finals for the third year in a row. After successive defeats to Andy Murray and Juan Martin Del Potro in 2008 and 2009, will it be third time lucky for the Spaniard as he aims to complete his Grand Slam collection.

Youzhny will be drawing confidence from his four set win over Nadal in the 2006 quarter-finals. Back then Youzhny dictated play from the middle of the court against a very passive Nadal, taking the ball early off both sides and ripping winner after winner. However four years later Nadal is a much more accomplished hard court player. He plays closer to the baseline, looks to control the points himself with the forehand and has unleashed a cannon of a first serve at this year's tournament.

That serve has been crucial to Nadal's serene progress to far, winning every match in straight sets. With his own service games under control, opponents feel under even more pressure on their own.

Youzhny will need to target Nadal's double-hander as the backhand cross-court is the only part of his game which has not been working impeccably. The Russian also has more to his game than a lot of Nadal's opponents so far at this tournament. He can mix up his shots with different spins and lengths, is a decent volleyer and has an accurate serve.

The Russian has regularly given Nadal problems on hard courts in the past, beating him at Chennai and Dubai in straight sets over the past few years. However over five sets with this much at stake, it is hard to see the new, improved Nadal not coming through.

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