London, June 14:

Rafael Nadal beat four-time champion Andy Roddick 7-5, 6-4 to reach the final at the Queen’s Club for the first time.

Nadal, who is vying to be the first Spaniard since 1972 to win a grass-court tournament, managed to handle Roddick’s powerful serves with good returns, but squandered three break points at 1-1 in the first set. The French Open champion then got his break to go up 6-5, and then held off four breakpoints in the next game.

Roddick was aiming to become the first five-time champion at the event.