Resurgent Murray sets up Nadal semi

Andy Murray overcame a twisted ankle to advance to the French Open's semi-finals Wednesday after defeating Argentina's Juan Ignacio Chela. Murray is now set to take on top seed Rafael Nadal on Friday, after the Spaniard defeated Robin Soderling.

By News Wires (text)

REUTERS - Andy Murray suffered a few lapses in concentration in a 7-6 7-5 6-2 win over Juan Ignacio Chela on Wednesday to reach the French Open semi-finals for the first time—but he knows he must do better against Rafael Nadal.

The fourth-seeded Briton, who twisted his ankle in his fourth-round match with Viktor Troicki, recovered from two breaks down in the opening set to win a tiebreak 7-2 and blew a 5-2 lead in the second before getting his act together.

Murray, who has never won a grand slam title, was more consistent against unseeded Argentine Chela in the third set and sealed the win with a delicate drop shot.

“It was just very up and down. The wind obviously doesn’t help but it was a really scrappy match,” the Scot told a news conference.

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“I didn’t start particularly well and then got a little bit better, started moving a bit better towards the end of the first set.”

Murray must be switched on from the start to stand a chance of booking a place in the final because he faces world number one Nadal on Friday after the five-times champion beat Swede Robin Soderling 6-4 6-1 7-6.

“I got up in the second, maybe lost concentration a little bit, which you can’t afford to do against someone like Juan who has a lot of experience on this surface. Something I definitely won’t get away with against Rafa,” he added.

Murray possesses a seemingly nonchalant attitude but has shown plenty of fighting spirit on a slow surface he does not favour.

“I’m surprised I’m here, to be honest, because I haven’t actually played that well. Aside from everything else that’s happened I haven’t played particularly well,” he said.

Twisted ankle

Murray, the Australian Open runner-up, looked on the brink of retirement when he twisted his ankle in a five-set victory over Serb Troicki.

“I needed to fight back against Troicki in tough circumstances. I think all my matches except that one were straight sets,” said Murray.

“I’m glad I’ve got tomorrow off where I can rest and recover ... because you’re going to need all of your reserves to get through a match with Rafa at the French.”

Nadal has a 43-1 record at Roland Garros. Murray has a 4-10 record against the world number one and has never beaten him in three encounters on clay although the Spaniard dropped a set at the Monte Carlo Masters this year when they met in the semi-finals.