Rafael Nadal set up a much anticipated semi final match up with Andy Murray at the Monte Carlo Masters following a straight sets win over Croatian Ivan Ljubicic (6-1, 6-3) on Friday. In difficult windy condition, the Scot beat Frederico Gil in 2 sets. On the other side of the draw, Roger Federer lost to Jurgen Melzer and the Austrian willl now play David Ferrer for a place in the final.
Federer was not at his best against Melzer but said it was only the first week of the clay season and that he will improve. Melzer was visibly overjoyed with his achievement and has now beaten all of the "top three" in his career. This is what he said:
"I beat Rafa last year (in Shanghai). I have beaten Nole (Djokovic, in the French Open quarter-finals). So this was the one missing. I'm very happy I actually did it today. It was a tough match for me. He beat me three times last year and I didn't even win a set. But many things went well for me, my shots worked well. When he had break points I was calm and served well. I did well on the big points and played my game."
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