Nadal, Berdych final

WIMBLEDON, England (AP): Rafael Nadal is back in the Wimbledon final for the fourth time in his last four appearances, while Britain's 74-year wait for a homegrown men's champion goes on.

The top-ranked Spaniard took apart fourth-seeded Andy Murray 6-4, 7-6 (6), 6-4 yesterday to move within one win of a second Wimbledon title and an eighth Grand Slam championship.

Nadal was at his relentless best, whipping topspin forehands from corner to corner, as he put on a bravura performance in front of a Centre Court audience that included David Beckham.

Nadal will be a heavy favourite in tomorrow's final against 12th-seeded Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, who defeated No. 3 Novak Djokovic 6-3, 7-6 (9), 6-3 to reach his first Grand Slam title match.

Nadal won Wimbledon in 2008, beating Roger Federer in an epic five-set final, but was unable to defend his title last year because of tendinitis in both knees.

Defending and six-time champion Federer was upset in the quarter-finals this week by Berdych, and Nadal now has the chance to reclaim his crown.

"For me, it was an amazing day, very important victory for me, one of the more difficult victories of my career," Nadal said. "I think it's one of the biggest victories in my career."

Nadal ended Murray's hopes of becoming the first British player to win the men's title since Fred Perry in 1936. No British man has even reached the final since Henry 'Bunny' Austin in 1938, and British men have now lost in 10 Wimbledon semi-finals since then.

"For Andy it was important playing at home in Wimbledon," Nadal said. "That was a little bit more pressure than usual. But Andy's a very, very nice person and a very, very nice guy and I wish him the best of luck."

Nadal converted three of four breakpoint chances, while Murray broke just once. He had 31 winners and only 13 unforced errors in the 189 points played.

"I had chances in all of the sets," Murray said. "It was the difference of maybe five or six points. He just played better than me. You're not going to be able to play every single point on your terms against the best player in the world, one of the best players ever."

Nadal met briefly with Beckham after the match.

"Always is special (to) meet with great sportsman like David," he said. "What I admire a lot of him is ... he fights like the best of them, more than the rest."

Nadal is 7-3 against Berdych, including wins in their last six matches.

"I played against him in the quarters in 2007, he's always a difficult opponent," Nadal said. "Big serve, very flat and powerful shots from the baseline. It will be very difficult."

The 24-year-old Berdych is the first Czech to reach the men's final at the All England Club since Ivan Lendl in 1987. The only Czech to win the men's title was Jan Kodes in 1973.

"The feeling is absolutely amazing. It is really tough to describe," Berdych said. "Every young kid, from the first time he hits the ball and thinks to be a tennis player, this is the dream to be in the final of any Grand Slam. This is definitely the biggest tournament for me."

Berdych lost serve just once in 16 games and broke Djokovic three times. The Czech had 11 aces, 34 winners and 17 unforced errors.

Djokovic hurt his own chances with eight double faults, including two in a row in the eighth game of the third set to lose serve and give Berdych the chance to serve out the match.

"He's just a better player today on the court," Djokovic said. "When I had the opportunities, I didn't use them. In important moments I served some double faults. I was a little bit unfortunate in some points. But definitely didn't take my chances and he used it, so he deserved to win."