Roddick fightback eliminates Nadal

Andy Roddick fought back from a set down to beat Rafael Nadal in the Sony Ericsson Open semi-finals at Key Biscayne.

The American had looked to be heading for defeat when he allowed Nadal to make the most of a break of serve to take the first set.

But he recovered well and held his serve thereafter while making an impact on his Spanish opponent's delivery, to win 4-6 6-3 6-3.

Sixth seed Roddick blasted down 15 aces in the match and broke fourth seed Nadal's serve three times over the course of the final two sets.

The American will play Robin Soderling or Tomas Berdych in Sunday's final.

Roddick had played Nadal seven times previously, losing five times including their most recent three meetings.

However Roddick has enjoyed the more successful season and will now go on to challenge for a second title in 2010, having triumphed in Brisbane in January.

He also reached the final of last month's Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells, losing to an inspired Ivan Ljubicic.