MONACO(AP) Top-ranked Rafael Nadal moved one step closer to his fifth straight final at the Monte Carlo Masters, defeating Ivan Ljubicic 6-3, 6-3 Friday in his second match of the day.
Nadal also improved his winning streak in Monaco to 25 matches.
After beating Nicolas Lapentti 6-3, 6-0 in a rain-delayed third-round match, Nadal showed few signs of fatigue against Ljubicic in winning his 19th straight match on clay to reach the semifinals.
I don't remember ever winning two singles matches in one day, only doubles,'' Nadal said.I didn't have a very long match (in the morning), so I was totally 100 percent to play the second. That's important.''
Nadal next faces fourth-seeded Andy Murray, who reached his first career semifinal on clay after beating Nikolay Davydenko 7-6 (1), 6-4.
Third-seeded Novak Djokovic also reached the semifinals, defeating No. 7 Fernando Verdasco 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. Djokovic will meet No. 13 Stanislas Wawrinka, who upset No. 2 Roger Federer on Thursday. Wawrinka defeated German qualifier Andreas Beck 6-2, 6-4 on Friday.
Although Nadal has not dropped a set in Monte Carlo since beating Roger Federer in the 2006 final, he said he's still adopting to his favorite surface.
Have to play a little bit more inside, less mistakes, serve a little bit better,'' Nadal said.All aspects of the game, I have to improve.''
The Spaniard has won the last four Monte Carlo titles and gone on to capture the French Open each time. His last defeat on clay was in the second round of the Rome Masters in May.
Murray finished his rain-suspended third-round match by defeating Fabio Fognini 7-6 (11), 6-4 before facing Davydenko.
Davydenko led 4-1 in the second set before Murray won the next five games. He converted his third match point when Davydenko hit a forehand long.
Every time I play against Nikolay he makes me run a lot, so I was prepared for that going into the match,'' Murray said.I was down 4-1 and managed to fight back. I'm quite looking forward to getting into my bed now.''
Djokovic broke Verdasco in the sixth game of the deciding set and closed out the match on serve.
I could have finished the job in two sets, but then he came back,'' said Djokovic, adding that heavy rain from Thursday made for tricky conditions on the clay.The courts were really wet. The balls were getting bald and really fast. It was tough to control.''
Wawrinka has lost five of his seven previous meetings with Djokovic, including the last four. He lost to Djokovic in the Rome Masters final last year on clay, and recently on hard courts at Indian Wells, Calif.
I'm very pleased to play against him again, this time on clay,'' Wawrinka said.I think it's going to be a very physical match. I know he likes to be very aggressive.''
Nadal's match had been suspended Thursday because of heavy rain, with Lapentti up 1-0 in the first set. Ljubicic started his day by beating Simone Bolelli 7-5, 7-6 (2).
Davydenko beat No. 12 David Nalbandian 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.