Top-seeded Nadal beats Verdasco to reach U.S. Open semifinals

NEW YORK (AP) - At the start, Rafael Nadal would say later, he was "scared" by the wind.

He actually lost a service game. After one error, he slapped himself on the thigh. After another, he put his hands on his hips and stared at the spot where his shot went awry.

By the end, Nadal was as good as ever, even hitting a spinning, no-look, half-volley as he moved one step closer to the only Grand Slam title he hasn't won.

The top-seeded Nadal quickly figured out how to handle the wind that has plagued the tournament, got his serve in gear after being broken for the only time in five matches, and beat No. 8 Fernando Verdasco 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 Thursday night in the first all-Spanish quarterfinal in U.S. Open history.

Now Nadal heads to a third consecutive semifinal at Flushing Meadows.

He lost in that round to Andy Murray in 2008, and to eventual champion Juan Martin del Potro in 2009; he never has been to a U.S. Open final.