Rafael Nadal could be forgiven for quietly sloping off home to Spain following his semi-final defeat to Andy Murray in the US Open last night. But far from crying into his coffee, the world No 1, who was aiming to add to his French, Wimbledon and Olympic titles in Flushing Meadows, took the time to congratulate the Scot on his stunning performance.

Writing in his exclusive Times Online blog, Nadal refused to make any excuses for his four-set loss, which was halted halfway through when a tropical storm blew through New York. "Andy played better than me both yesterday and today and he deserved to win. No excuses, no complaints," Nadal said.

With the weathermen forecasting torrential rain, the US Open organisers opted to play both semi-finals at the same time, with Nadal and Murray being pushed onto the Louis Armstrong Stadium in front of a minimal crowd while Roger Federer was beating Novak Djokovic in the Arthur Ashe showcourt.

Yet Nadal insisted this had no bearing on the eventual result. "Some have asked if I had something to say about yesterday and the match being changed of courts," he said. "The conditions are the same for both players and he simply played better.

"I had said on my previous blog that I knew this was a very, very difficult match. That Andy was playing great and that I knew this could happen. Well, it did."

The Spaniard will now take time off to catch up with his family and friends but added a note of caution for Murray-followers who believe winning his first grand-slam title is now a formailty with Federer having endured a troubled season.

"It will be [Murray's] first grand-slam final and I am happy for him," Nadal said. "It will be difficult for him since Roger is still Roger. I remember when lots of people were saying he was finished. I always said that Roger deserved more respect, and that he is still there, the favourite always. Well, he is in the final, again. Good luck to both and let's hope we see a great tennis match."