While Gulbis, pictured above, as able to overcome Federer, Nadal, who is poised to become the new world no. 1 proved too challenging on Rome's clay court.

ROME — Ernests Gulbis’ stunning run at the Internazionali BNL D’Italia has been halted by the “King of Clay” Rafael Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 4-6 at Saturday’s semifinal stage.

Nadal has had a relatively carefree trip to the semis, having easily dispatched of all opponents he had encountered to date. In contrast, Gulbis has had anything but an easy ride so far, knocking out Roger Federer and then having to bring himself back to earth to back up again in his next two games.

The only thing separating the two throughout the opening two sets was a broken serve apiece with Nadal breaking Gulbis was in the first set whilst the Latvian was able to return the favor in the second to set up a tense third set.

Gulbis’ serve was on song, dishing up a phenomenal 14 aces compared to Nadal’s 0. Even when he was not sending down aces he was still on-song with an accurate game on first serve.

Nadal managed to take his opponent to break point more than once in the final set but Gulbis refused to budge. That was at least until his crucial fifth turn at serve with the Spaniard up 5-4.

Having previously battled back from 0-40 down, he was unable to do so this time, giving Nadal three match points, a gift Nadal readily accepted as he quickly wrapped up the match.

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