Rotterdam, Netherlands  - Top seed Rafael Nadal reached his first semi-final at the ABN-AMRO World Tennis on Friday as Jo- Wilfried Tsonga set up match point with a double fault after serving 26 aces.

Nadal, who has gone the distance in all three of his matches, earned a 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4 victory, taking just under three hours.

"This was definitely my best match of the week," said the Spaniard, who came here after his Australian Open title with just three days off. "Tsonga was extremely tough. This was a very important win for me."

Rotterdam, Netherlands  - Rafael Nadal got back to work on court eight days after his historic Australian Open title, adjusting to indoor conditions during a doubles loss on Monday at the ABN-AMRO World Tennis.

The Spanish world number one teamed with fellow Mallorcan Ignacio Coll-Ruidavets but the wild card pair lost to experienced Frenchman Michael Llodra - last year's singles champion - and compatriot Arnaud Clement 6-3, 6-4.

Melbourne  - Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal on Monday stood up for US swimmer Michael Phelps, who apologized after being photographed with a pipe usually used for marijuana consumption.

"It does not portray the best possible image, but everyone can have a slip-up. In the end sportsmen are just not machines," tennis world number one Nadal said. "Everyone is free to do whatever they want."

Melbourne, Feb. 2 : Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal refuses to believe he has Roger Federer''s number just yet, despite continuing his grand slam dominance over the so-called greatest player ever.

Nadal''s gripping 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-2 Australian Open final triumph on Sunday night not only denied Federer a record-equalling 14th career major - but also took the
22-year-old''s own tally to six.

The Spaniard has taken just 20 tournaments to accrue his half-dozen, with only Bjorn Borg - who needed 18 events - stacking up his first six slams in quicker fashion.

Melbourne, Feb. 2 : Spaniard Rafael Nadal is using his Australian Open triumph to call for a shorter ATP Tour season.

Expressing major concerns for player welfare and the tour itself, the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Nadal as saying on Monday: "I worry about the tour more than I worry about myself because the life after tennis continues."

Melbourne  - Even if he never wins another Grand Slam, Rafael Nadal will still be counting the blessings of a world-beating career.

"I have six right now, and I'm happy with my six," the Spanish superman said after his five-set triumph over Roger Federer, which lasted into early Monday morning. "I'm going to continue trying my best and improving my tennis."

That cannot be welcome news for Federer, whose emotions overcame him on the trophy stand after losing for the 13th time in 19 matches against Nadal.