Nadal, Ferrer reach French Open semis

PARIS, June 6 (UPI) -- David Ferrer defeated Andy Murray in four sets and Rafael Nadal sailed to another straight-set win Wednesday in advancing to the semifinals of the French Open.

Ferrer, the No. 6 seed, downed the fourth-seeded Murray 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-2 Wednesday. Nadal, gunning for a record seventh French Open title, posted a straight-set victory earlier.

Nadal defeated 12th-seeded Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, 6-3 in improving to 50-1 all-time at Roland Garros. He's won the last two French Opens.

The other semifinal Friday will pit world No. 1 Novak Djokovic against third-seeded Roger Federer. The semifinal winners will decide the 2012 French Open title Sunday.

Nadal hasn't dropped a set en route to the semifinals. After Almagro was 0-for-4 on break-point chances Wednesday, Nadal has been broken just once in the tournament.

Nadal had just 18 unforced errors against Almagro, who had 45. Nadal also won 72 percent of the points on serve, including 84 percent when he was good on his first serve.

The quartet of Djokovic, Nadal, Federer and Murray had comprised the semifinals in three of the last four Grand Slam events. At least three of those players have been involved in the semis of the last eight major tournaments, counting this year's French Open.

Ferrer, who made the semis in the 2011 Australian Open, broke up the regular suspects by piling up 10 breaks against Murray. He won half the points off Murray's serve.

After Murray tied the match with the second-set tiebreaker, Ferrer grabbed the advantage by taking the last three games of the third set. Murray opened the fourth set with a break but Ferrer won four consecutive games for control of the match. He capped the day with a break in the final game.