体坛英语新闻：Nadal, Murray through to Rotterdam semifinals

BRUSSELS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- World No. 1 Rafael Nadal and second-seeded Andy Murray both scored hard-fought victories to reach the semifinals of the 1.44-million-euro ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on Friday.

    Nadal, the newly crowned Australian Open champion, was extended Friday evening to three sets by No. 7 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France, but eventually won 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4. This is the second consecutive three-set match for the world's best player in as many days.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France reacts during his quarterfinal match against Rafael Nadal of Spain at the World Indoor Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam Feb。 13, 2009.

World No. 4 Murray won the first set against unseeded Frenchman Gael Gicquel 7-6, but Gicquel took the second set 6-4. When Murray was 3-0 up in the deciding set, Gicquel retired citing a left groin injury.

    In an afternoon quarterfinal match, Croatia's unseeded Mario Ancic beat Russia's Mikhail Youzhny in straight sets, 6-4 , 6-2.

    In a late-night all-French quarterfinal, 5th seeded Gael Monfils will take on Julien Benneteau.

    In Saturday's semifinals, Murray will take on Ancic, while Nadal will face the winner of the Monfils-Benneteau match.