Rafael Nadal took aim at Wimbledon glory on Thursday and insisted that a controversial doping storm will not derail his dream of becoming the first Spanish winner of the men's title in 40 years.
LONDON: Rafael Nadal took aim at Wimbledon glory on Thursday and insisted that a controversial doping storm will not derail his dream of becoming the first Spanish winner of the men's title in 40 years.
The 20-year-old world number two brushed aside Finland's Jarkko Nieminen 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to reach his first Wimbledon semi-final where he will face Cyprus's Marcos Baghdatis.
Nadal is adamant that a newspaper report linking his name with the ongoing probe into doping in Spanish cycling will not distract him from following in the footsteps of Manolo Santana, the last and only Spanish men's champion in 1966.
"The report will not affect me because I am completely innocent," said Nadal, the French Open champion.
"I have never taken anything and I never will."
Nadal has already instigated legal action over the allegations while the International Tennis Federation issued a statement on Wednesday saying that no tennis players are involved in the investigation.
Nadal did not look particularly perturbed by the controversy on Thursday as he wrapped up victory in 2hr 14min against his fellow left-hander to set up a last four clash against Baghdatis, the man who knocked out 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt.
He has not dropped his serve in the last three rounds here and he now stands just one win away from a possible final showdown with triple champion Roger Federer.
"I'm really surprised to have got to the semi-finals," said the double French Open winner, the first Spaniard in the last four since Manuel Orantes in 1972.
"My goal when I came was just to have a good tournament. I am not even thinking about the final, that would be stupid. It will be tough against Baghdatis but I'm excited to be playing against anybody at Wimbledon."
Federer, who has put together a 46-match winning run on grass since his last defeat here against Mario Ancic in the first round in 2002, faces Swedish veteran Jonas Bjorkman in Friday's other semi-final.
The Swiss world number one, who has defeated Bjorkman in all their three career meetings, has a chance of becoming the first man to win the title without dropping a set since Bjorn Borg in 1976.
But he has put all such thoughts to one side as he concentrates on getting past Bjorkman in Friday's opening semi-final.
"I'm obviously the big favorite for the match and I guess if I keep up this sort of a performance, I don't see myself losing," said Federer.
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