Murray to play Nadal in French Open semis

PARIS, June 1 (UPI) -- World No. 1 Rafael Nadal and fourth-seeded Andy Murray plowed their way into the semifinals of the French Open with straight-set victories Wednesday.

The results put the top four seeds on the men's draw in Friday's semifinals. No. 2-ranked Novak Djokovic and third-seeded Roger Federer claimed their semifinal slots earlier in the week.

Nadal improved to 43-1 at Roland Garros with a 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) win over fifth-seeded Robin Soderling, who is the only person to have beaten Nadal at the French Open. Nadal is seeking a record-tying sixth French Open title.

Murray, looking for his first Grand Slam title, picked up his first French Open semifinal berth with a 7-6 (7-2), 7-5, 6-2 decision over Juan Ignacio Chela.

Nadal won the first three games of his match with Soderling and took the last five games -- three on breaks -- for a commanding two-set lead. He led 2-0 in the third before Soderling broke back and eventually forced the tiebreaker.

Nadal won four consecutive points for a 4-1 lead and, after Soderling claimed a pair of points, won the last three to advance.

Murray, playing on a sore ankle, probably expected less of a challenge from Chela who has never been a Grand Slam semifinalist in his 13 years as a professional. But Chela jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first set before Murray fought back.

Murray led 5-2 in the second set only to have Chela use a pair of breaks to pull even. Murray's fourth break of the set put him back ahead. The third set turned on breaks in the first and seventh games.