Roddick Beats Murray, Ferrero Downs Nadal at Cincinnati Tennis Masters

Behind a 16 ace-barrage and aggressive play, Roddick picked up his first win against Murray. In their two previous match-ups this year (San Jose and Wimbledon), Murray downed the American in straight sets. Murray, who played 14 matches in 17 days, said he was only about 50 percent going into tonight's match.

"I wasn't going into the match expecting to win tonight," said Murray, who had the same sentiments before his match earlier this week against World No.1 Roger Federer, whom he defeated. "I considered pulling out when I woke up this morning and about a half an hour before I went on, but I felt like I had one hour where I could compete with him."

"I had a few chances at the start of the first set. If I was able to serve a little bit better and put a bit more pressure on him by winning my service games more comfortably, then it could have been a tighter match. But, you know, was maybe just a little bit too tired today."

Roddick is into the final four of an ATP Masters Series event for the first time this year and is one step closer to claiming his first title of 2006. With the win, Roddick advances to his fourth consecutive semifinal in Cincinnati, becoming the seventh player in tournament history to do so. Roddick improves to 22-5 here, which moves him ahead of Roscoe Tanner to take over the No.10 spot on the list of most match wins in Cincinnati.

"I'm floored by the amount of support I get here," said Roddick, the No.9 seed. "It's pretty humbling. It's definitely nice knowing I'm going out there for a night match, and I know the crowd's going go be out there. I know what to expect and I can use it for energy. This is fastly turning into one of my favorite places to play."

In the last quarterfinal of the day, No.13 seed Fernando Gonzalez defeated No.10 seed David Ferrer 6-2, 6-4 to return to the Cincinnati semifinals for the first time since 2002. Gonzalez, one of the hottest players on tour this summer, blasted five aces and won five of six break points. Gonzalez scored his last break against Ferrer in the second set to lead 5-4, and went on to serve out the match in the next game.

Gonzalez will next face Roddick for a slot in the final. Roddick leads the series 5-2, with Gonzalez's last win against the American coming in the 2004 Olympics.

A 32-minute rain delay couldn't faze former World No.1 Juan Carlos Ferrero on Friday. The unseeded Ferrero needed two hours and 43 minutes to get by No.2 seed Rafael Nadal 7-6(2), 7-6(3). The win marks Ferrero's second return to the Cincinnati semifinals, having done so in 2002 (l. to Moya).

Ferrero was twice within two points from winning the match, once at 5-4 and again at 6-5, but Nadal wouldn't give in, blasting winners and aces to keep his hopes alive. In the second-set tie-break, Ferrero caught an early break to lead 2-0 and never looked back, securing a spot in the final four when Nadal's last shot sailed long.

"Maybe he play his best match against me for sure," said Nadal. "I didn't play my best match in my life, but I wasn't playing very bad. He played a good match. Today I had my chances, but he played very good important moments."

Ferrero's victory over his 20-year-old compatriot was the first in five attempts. The pair met four times last year, with Nadal winning each time. Ferrero, the 2003 Roland Garros champion, advances to his second semifinal of the year (Buenos Aires) and improves his record in Cincinnati to 12-6. This is his best ATP Masters Series showing since April 2005 when he reached the semifinals in Monte Carlo where he lost to Guillermo Coria.

"Today I felt really comfortable in the court and with a lot of confidence with my forehand," said Ferrero. "That was one of the keys of the match, you know. I did a lot of points, I made a lot of points with my forehand all the time, and I tried to get it in the court and try to get the point quickly."

"It's a special win of course because Nadal is one of the best players in the world. He's No. 2."

Ferrero's semifinal opponent will be No. 7 seed Tommy Robredo, a 7-6(6), 6-2 winner over No. 4 seed Ivan Ljubicic. Robredo, who has won 40 consecutive service games this week, again relied heavily on his serve to defeat the World No. 3. Though the Croat fired 11 aces, Robredo, the No. 2 Spaniard behind Nadal, won 81 percent of his first service points and saved all six of the break points forced by Ljubicic.

Robredo is making his fifth straight appearance in Cincinnati, compiling an 11-4 record and reaching the semis in 2004 before falling to Lleyton Hewitt. The 24-year-old Spaniard will be gunning for his second ATP Masters Series shield in 2006 (Hamburg), and is aiming for his fifth career ATP title. With the win, Robredo improves to 36-19 this season.
-- ATP