Ruthless Nadal blows away Rublev to enter semis

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NEW YORK, September: World No.1 Rafael Nadal provided Russian teenager Andrey Rublev with a tennis lesson on Wednesday, racing into the semifinals of the US Open with a ruthless 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 win.

The 19-year-old, who grew up idolising Nadal and had the Spaniard's poster pinned up on his bedroom wall was smiling from ear-to-ear as he posed for pre-match photos on Arthur Ashe Stadium court with his hero.

That would be the highlight of an eye-opening afternoon for the Russian youngster as Nadal showed no mercy during a one hour, 37 minute thrashing.

Once the match started it did not take long for Rublev's grin to disappear. It was replaced by scowls and frustration as the Russian angrily yelled at himself for missed shots and occasionally slapped at his leg with a clenched fist.

Nadal, still stinging from a third-round upset by 18-year-old Canadian Denis Shapovalov in Montreal in August and with a spot in the semifinals was fully focused on the task at hand.

While fans were still filing into Arthur Ashe, Nadal was wrapping up a clinical first set in 23 minutes.

Rublev offered some resistance to start the second but it was brief, Nadal breaking to go up 3-2 and again to close out the set.

A relentless Nadal broke to open the third and when Rublev double faulted to hand him yet another break at 4-1, the dejected Russian simply bent over and let his racquet drop.

But Rublev was not done scolding himself, dropping into his chair during the changeover then hammering away at his foot with his racquet.