David Law
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's like we're watching 'Rafael Nadal lite' down the other end of the court. Ruud is fighting as hard as he can but he is up a aginst a man who is unbeatable in this form and on this surface.

Sad way for Ruud to end that set and he walks back to his chair with his head bowed.

Image source, Getty Images

The pressure finally tells and a double fault, after saving three set points, gives Nadal the second set.

Just like in the first set, we have had 51 minutes of action and it shows 6-3 on the scoreboard.

Image source, Getty Images

One, two, three set points saved. Now Ruud has to do it for a fourth time after a Nadal down-the-line winner.

Ruud is hanging on in this set as a backhand with Nadal sliding along the clay as if he's an ice skater can only find the top of the net with an angled sliced backhand. Deuce.

But a Ruud forehand from the baseline doesn't have the angles correct, it is pulled wide and Nadal has a third set point.

Nadal can only flick one wide, deuce, two set points have left the building.

One set point vanishes as Nadal returns long. One to go, 30-40.

Nadal has the time to run around one to unleash a gorgeous forehand and it's a winner for two set points, 15-40.

Ruud, 15-30 after going long with a forehand. He glances up to those in his box, looking for answers and inspiration. Nadal two points away from a two-set lead.

Sho: Ruud tactically has got this very wrong so far. Standing way too far back for the return of serve and these looping shots he keeps hitting aren't doing anything to Nadal.

Greg Rusedski
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live

When Ruud was up a break he had to find a way to consolidate. Now it is a mountain to climb.

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A hold to love from Nadal, with an ace down the middle leaving Ruud motionless and now having to serve to stay in the second set.

The apprentice doesn't have the answers to the work of the master so far.

Greg Rusedski
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live

Some of the tennis Nadal has played these two weeks has been as good as it gets - his serve has improved dramatically over the years - he is a better player now than he was when he won his first title.

But he has had a few lapses and some of the other players have been improving as well.

That could be a very crucial game in this match and Nadal now has the advantage. He was 3-1 down but that's three games on the bounce for the Spaniard and a break.

Ruud, break point down, lofts it over Nadal who sprints back towards the baseline, but can instantly stop himself as the lob is long.

A set and a break down. It's a long way back for Ruud now.

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Ruud gets unlucky as the ball flicks up off the tape and loops out. Deuce. Alarm bells again for Ruud. And they're getting louder with Nadal moving to break point.

Ruud was facing a bit of danger at 30-30 on his serve but, at the second attempt, can put a furious smash away for game point in the seventh game, 40-30.

We've had 85 minutes of this match and we're halfway through the second set. In his semi-final, Nadal's first set against Alexander Zverev took 91 minutes.

Greg Rusedski
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live

The movement is exceptional from Nadal - but not only that - the control of the ball.

It's amazing composure - but to have that you need the mindset and the physicality.

Nicholas Walker: Ruud needs to push Nadal back further on his backhand as he's being forced back himself at the moment.

A love hold from Nadal as the pressure pushes back on to the Norwegian on the biggest day of his career.