Nadal downs Youzhny, gains U.S. Open final

Top-seeded Nadal was rarely threatened by the 12th-seeded Russian. Youzhny perked up a bit in the third set when he broke the Spaniard's serve for the only time, evening the frame 4-4, but Nadal broke right back and served out to claim the victory.

Nadal now goes on to play the winner of Saturday's other semifinal between No. 2 seed Roger Federer and third-seeded Novak Djokovic in his quest to become only the seventh player ever to rack up a career Grand Slam.

The men's final is set for Sunday.

Nadal called for the trainer in the second set to treat an apparent blister on his foot but wasn't slowed down by the injury.

A U.S. Open title for Nadal would make him the first player since Rod Laver in 1969 to collect three straight Grand Slam events in a calendar year -- the 24-year-old has already taken the French Open and Wimbledon.

Nadal has now won 20 straight matches in major tournaments.

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