Nadal grinds on grass to set up showdown with Hewitt

By Bill Scott Jun 15, 2006, 17:55 GMT

London - Rafael Nadal transferred his attentions to grass with spectacular success, reaching his first-ever quarter-final on the surface over compatriot Fernando Verdasco 2-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-3) Thursday at the Stella Artois Championship.

Like on the dirt at Roland Garros, Nadal was not in a hurry, spending three hours and one minute to collect the third-round win over the fellow Spaniard he's now beaten five times on four surfaces.

Nadal, whose victory was his fifth from eight career grass matches, will face a huge test on Friday in a quarter-final against Australian Lleyton Hewitt.

The 2002 Wimbledon winner and title dominator of Queen's from 2000-2002, won a comeback battle over Max Mirnyi 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4).

'It will be a very very tough match, Hewitt is one of the best on grass,' said Nadal, who converted on only four of 17 break point chances against Verdasco. 'I want to just play my best.'

Hewitt took a loss on clay to the world number 2 in the Roland Garros fourth round. But the tables could well be turned in London with the Australian sitting firmly in his comfort zone.

Hewitt, whose last title came in January, 2005, will not be lulled.

'Even though grass isn't their favourite and best surface, these (Spanish) guys are class players and are able to play well,' said the Australian.

Verdasco was treated for back problems and also turned his knee in a sliding fall in the third set, playing on and still giving his countryman a tough battle.

Nadal won his 37th match of the season against three defeats.

But he is not yet dreaming of a possible title in the pre- Wimbledon tuneup. 'I can't think of winning the tournament, only this next match.

'I'm playing the best I can. I want to improve on grass. I like playing on it, but it's difficult for me to play really well on it.'

Australian Mark Philippoussis, losing 2003 Wimbledon finalist to Roger Federer, will scarry confidence after losing to Chile's sixth seed Fernando Gonzalez 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

By winning a pair of matches on Wednesday after rain delays this week, the 29-year-old Philippoussis produced his best effort on court since reaching the grass quarters last summer in the Netherlands.

Philippoussis, 176th in the rankings, is hoping that his revival may help him ultimately secure a Wimbledon wild card for the Grand Slam starting a week from Monday.

'If I can get a wild card, it makes things a lot easier. I don't know if this week will help my chances or not,' he said. 'I don't know if I'm 100 per cent out of a wild card.

'But whatever the case, I'm ready to play in the qualies.'

Philippoussis revealed that he has received an email from Wimbledon informing that he would not receive a free entry - but that was all before his Queen's performance.

Briton Tim Henman beat Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 6-3, 6-4 while Russian Dmitry Tursunov stopped Yue-Tzoo Wang of Taiwan 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.

Henman and Tursunov will play for the third time this season, with the Briton losing matches at the Australian Open and Roland Garros to his new rival.