Nadal Powers His Way Into Australian Open Semis

Roger Federer, aiming to equal Pete Sampras record 14 Grand Slam singles titles, held on Thursday, Andy Roddick in the other semifinal.. Top-seeded Rafael Nadal made for Australian Open semifinals with a 6-2, 7-5, 7-5 win over sixth-seeded Gilles Simon of France on Wednesday. Nadal takes on fellow Spanish Fernando Verdasco in the semifinals Friday.