Eight players did battle on quarter-finals day of the Madrid Masters, but only four made it through to the next round.
First up the all-Spain encounter between Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer went to the former, before another Spaniard, Pablo Andujar beat Japan's Kei Nishikori in straight sets.
The evening session started with a straight-sets Andy Murray defeat to Tomas Berdych before Stanislas Wawrinka saw off Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in three.
Read how the action unfolded with our live text commentary.
Afternoon all. So, the French Open is getting ever so close now, isn't it? It means that the top players are eager to win tournaments like this to get themselves in top form. We've got four players over the next few hours who are gunning for the title and all have a decent chance of doing so.
Let's start with Kei Nishikori, who takes on Pablo Andujar. How good was he against Roger Federer yesterday? When R-Fed levelled it up at 1-1, it looked as though there was only going to be one winner. The youngster from Japan showed great character to win through. It's easily the biggest win of his career to date and could now act as a springboard.
First up though we have a rather big encounter between two players that love playing their tennis on the clay...
For Spain as a country, there is no bigger match than when Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer take to the court. They are among the strongest players on the red stuff and the winner of this would have to be the favourite to win the title.
If the head-to-head statistics are anything to go by, you'd have to fancy Nadal in this one. From the 23 meetings between the pair, the former world number one has emerged victorious from 18 of those. That's a fantastic record when you consider that Ferrer has been ranked fifth in the world for most of those matches.
15 of those clashes have been on clay and worryingly for Ferrer, the record reads 14-1 in Nadal's favour. Ferrer's only win came way back in 2004 in Stuttgart when Nadal would have been just 17. He was probably taking his A-Levels at the time - or the Spanish equivalent anyway!
Right, well the pair are now on the court and are going through their warm-up routines. Nadal won the coin toss and opted to receive first. He obviously fancies an early break of serve.
GAME ON! Right, here we go then. Ferrer has the ball in hand and he will get things started in a sunny Madrid.
Well, that wasn't the best tennis you are ever going to see. Both players, but particularly Nadal struggled to find any rhythm. You can see that Ferrer is keen to avoid getting involved in lengthy rallys because he knows that he would not be able to live with Nadal. The highlight of that game was a neat backhand drop shot from Ferrer which brought up game point.
That Nadal forehand really is frighteningly good. He gets so much speed on the ball, it's hard to fathom how a player returns it! Ferrer still gets himself up to 30, but when he tries to mimic his compatriot with a powerful forehand stroke, he only finds the net and Nadal levels.
There is a break coming, that's for sure. In each of the three service games so far, the receiver has got to 30 points. To be fair to Ferrer, another delicate drop shot wins him the game, but neither look 100% comfortable serving.
Well, what do you know? Three break points for Ferrer...
There's that forehand from Nadal as he saves the first one. Two more remaining...
Another one bites the dust. Just one left for Ferrer...
And that's deuce. Great character from Nadal - not that you expect anything else from the man. Will he go on and win this game now? It will be a big dent in Ferrer's confidence if he does.
Hang on though because an extremely poor drop shot from Nadal gives Ferrer his fourth break point. He's got to take this...
BREAK! Got him! Nadal fires wide of the mark with a shot across the court and Ferrer opens up a two-game advantage. If he holds now, that will make it 4-1. Although it is only one break, it seems a long way back for Nadal.
Typical Nadal - he has two break points. Ferrer has saved one, but there is still one more left...
But he can only find the net. Replays show that his backhand pass actually hit the frame of his racket, which gets a glare from Nadal! Deuce.
Wonderful tennis from Ferrer, who could have easily crumbled when faced with two break points. Like Nadal, his forehand is beginning to loosen up now and he's finding the baseline on a regular basis. If anything, Nadal is looking a little sluggish.
Nadal is not a happy chappy with the French umpire. He's been pulled up twice for taking too long between serves - around 28 seconds. Nadal feels that the decision is harsh and is letting the man in the chair know about it. He's got to regain his focus now though because he's got to hold this or the first set will slip away.
That was Nadal's best performance yet while serving and it came just when he needed it most. It appeared that he used his anger towards the umpire to produce a couple of those forehand shots that left Ferrer scampering. He's got to break back though and time is running out.
Nadal earns himself two break points with an unbelievable shot! Will explain more shortly because Ferrer is serving...
BREAK! We are back on serve in Madrid. That shot from Nadal to bring up those two break points was fantastic - he had no right to do it! He's facing away from the court and yet somehow (while at full stretch) he sends a backhand down the line which left Ferrer static - he had no answer. That's why Nadal is the best on this surface.
Ferrer pushes him all the way to deuce, but a thumping forehand down the middle allows Nadal to win through and level things up. This next game is huge because if Nadal claims it, you feel that he is the big favourite to win the whole match.
Very good from Ferrer, who served with confidence despite having been broken last time out. He may have to rethink those drop shots though because Nadal has wised up to them. Can he now break for a second time to take the set? We shall see.
Set and break point Ferrer...
SET! We've lost Djokovic and Federer - are we now going to lose Nadal in Madrid as well? We might be, you know? He's a set down as Ferrer does brilliantly to intercept his forehand stroke to break and take the set. That is the first time that Ferrer has taken a set off Nadal on clay since Rome in...2005!! That's a long time indeed.
Ferrer will also serve at the start of the second set. He's got a real chance to put himself in the ascendancy. The players return...
Big moment in the match as Nadal as an early break point...
But he can only find the net with a tame backhand stroke from the baseline. Deuce.
Another break point comes and goes for Nadal. Ferrer really is like a terrier, refusing to give up. This will be a big hold if he can pull it off.
That's brilliant from Ferrer, who eventually comes out on top from a game that lasted over eight minutes. It's a really important hold because he has shown Nadal that he is eager to win this one in two sets. If it goes to three, Nadal will be the big favourite.
It's a love-hold from Nadal and a real statement from the former world number one. He's not going to go away with a whimper, that's for sure. One shot that caught they eye in that game was a forehand down the line which completely put Ferrer off balance.
Nadal is on a roll now - he has three break points...
BREAK! Well, it appears that Ferrer has made Nadal angry - he could live to regret that! To borrow a phrase from Alan Partridge (sort of), Nadal has a forehand like a "traction engine!" I'd go as far as saying that if Ferrer doesn't break back straight away, this set is going to Rafa. He looks in the mood now.
Hello! Two break points for Ferrer...
BREAK! That's wonderful from the pint-sized Spaniard. Nadal's shot at the net is okay, nothing more, but it still takes a lot for an onrushing Ferrer to send a sweeping forehand across the court and beyond the reach of his compatriot. I said he needed to break back instantly and he has. Game on now!
How many errors does Nadal want to make? During that game he found the net, struck one wide and hit another lob long. It results in Ferrer being given an easy hold and he is now just three games away from winning this. A couple of games back Nadal looked to be finding his groove, but it's different now.
Break point for Ferrer. Big, big moment in this match...
What a point! Nadal has Ferrer running around the court and he eventually saves himself with the neatest of drop shots. Deuce.
But he can only find the net during the next point. So, it's another break point for Ferrer...
BREAK! He's done it! Ferrer's fourth break of the match leaves him two games from the semi-final. It's disappointing from Nadal, who drops a shot in the middle of the court. Ferrer punishes it with a driven forehand to the corner and although Nadal returns, it's an easy smash for Ferrer.
But Nadal is refusing to go away. A backhand down the line brings up three break points..
BREAK! Well, what a match this is turning out to be. From nowhere, Nadal produces a string of winners which Ferrer has no answer to. We are now back on serve, but don't bet against Ferrer breaking for a third time in a row. It's been that sort of an encounter.
There's a big fist pump from Nadal as holds to level it up at 4-4. However, he recovered from 4-2 down in the first set to draw level and ended up losing...
Break point Nadal...
BREAK! How an earth has this happened?! It looked as though Ferrer was going to win the match and now he is facing the prospect of a third set. He only has himself to blame because he gifted Nadal the chance and that is one play who does not need encouragement. Nadal will now serve for the set.
This is madness! Break point Ferrer...
BREAK! I don't think I've ever seen Nadal look so suspect on his own service game in one set. Every time he serves, he looks nervy, which is mad! This time he fires wide to allow Ferrer to level it up at 5-5 and breath huge sigh of relief in the process.
If ever there was time to serve out a love-hold, that was it. Brilliant from Ferrer, who didn't give Nadal a sniff during that game. Pressure all on Nadal now as he serves to stay in the match. The way he's been serving in this set, you wouldn't back him to do it.
Clinical from Nadal, who was wobbling at 15-30 down. He regained his composure though and powered his way to an important tie-breaker.
Nadal *1-0 Ferrer
Nadal *1-1 Ferrer
Nadal 1-2* Ferrer
Nadal 2-2* Ferrer
Nadal *3-2 Ferrer
Nadal *4-2 Ferrer
Nadal 5-2* Ferrer
Nadal 5-3* Ferrer
Nadal *6-3 Ferrer
SET! It looked for a moment that Ferrer had the upper hand then, but once again the errors crept in and Nadal took full advantage. You have to fear for Ferrer now because he's used a lot of energy to get to this point.
Right, the players are back on court for the third set. Nadal, who has to be the favourite now, will serve first.
Great start for Ferrer, who has a break point...
But there is very little he can do to convert it as Nadal thunders down a serve. Ferrer gets his racket to the ball, but can do nothing more than send it straight into the clay. Deuce.
And with one of the best lobs you will ever see, followed swiftly by an ace, Nadal wraps up the game. That's positive from Ferrer though because he showed that he is still willing to fight. He must convert those chances though.
Break point for Nadal...
BREAK! Ferrer was just two points from winning this match and now he is 2-0 down in the third and deciding set. It's sloppy once again from the world number four as he hits a shot long from the baseline. Totally unforced.
This is the Nadal that we all know. He's serving extremely well now and actually secured the game with a bouncer into Ferrer's body. It looks a long way back for Ferrer. To stand any chance, he must hold his next service game or it's all over.
Two break points for Nadal, although Ferrer serves the first. One left...
BREAK! "Vamos" cries Rafa as he powers another forehand winner beyond the reach of Ferrer. He's rampant now and it is only a matter of time before he wins this match. Ferrer looks like a man that wants to get off the court, and quickly!
Fair play to Ferrer, he's still fighting and has a break point...
But Ferrer goes long once again and the chance is gone. Deuce.
Yet another error from Ferrer - this time he fires wide into the tramline and Nadal has the hold. You wouldn't bet against him recording a bagel here because Ferrer's confidence must be on the floor.
Match point Nadal...
GAME, SET AND MATCH RAFAEL NADAL
Well, it was by no means pretty at times, but Nadal is through to the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters. If you were Ferrer, you'd have to wonder if you are ever going to beat Nadal because he won't get many better chances than that.
So, Nadal will now play the winner of Andujar vs. Nishikori for a place in the final and that is the match we will be turning our attention to next.
It really is a fabulous chance for both of these players. Andujar is a wildcard entry into the tournament and has never reached the quarter-finals of an ATP 1000 event. Meanwhile, Nishikori has only got to this stage once before during his career.
The rankings will have you believe that this should be a stroll in the park for Nishikori. He's ranked 16th, while Spaniard Andjuar is all the way down at 113. However, in September last year, he managed to get himself all the way up to 32 in the world.
Nishkori has seen his reputation soar over night following his win over Federer yesterday. For those that missed it, here is a video recap:
Right, the players are now out on the court and are going through their warm-up routines. Only a few minutes left until we are off and running.
GAME ON! Andujar has the ball in hand and we are now underway in Madrid.
An early break point for Nishikori...
But he fires long without any real pressure. That's disappointing from the Japanese number one.
Well, that was a long opening game. There was very little quality to be fair, but it's Andujar who claims an important hold - particularly because he was faced with a break point. Over to you Nishikori.
Wow, that was quick! Andujar struggled to get his serve going but there was no such problem for Nishikori. He looked confident and that's a good sign for the remainder of this match. Pressure on Andujar now to respond.
That's more commanding from Andujar, who showed the powerful side of his game during that one. He rounded it off with an ace down the centre of the court that left Nishikori absolutely no chance. It's fairly even stuff at the moment.
Now it's break point time for Andujar. He has two of them, although one has just been saved by Nishikori. One left...
That's great resistance and bravery from Nishikori as he saves the second one as well. Deuce.
But a wide shot from the Japanese player hands another break point to his opponent...
On the line! Andujar thinks that the ball is going long and so leaves it. Chalk flies up though and the Spaniard knows that he has made a terrible error. Deuce again.
And after all that, Nishikori manages to hold. Andujar is bound to be disappointed with himself because he has seen three break points fall by the wayside. The first break in this set is going to be crucial.
You'd have to say that after three games, Andujar has looked the stronger of the two players. His last two service performances in particular have been pretty emphatic, while leaving Nishikori no chance of claiming a break.
Better from Nishikori, although Andujar will be disappointed with himself there. He had a couple of chances, but on both occasions he sent poor drop shots into the net. We are getting to that stage now where if someone breaks, they have a big chance of taking this set.
Good stuff from Andujar, who produces a love-hold. Nishikori seems to be struggling with the bounce of the ball each time the Spaniard sends a serve in and around his body. Going to put my neck on the line and tip Andujar to break now!
I could well be right! Two break points for Andujar...
BREAK! Now, if only I'd put money on that! Pretty much everything Nishikori did in that game was short and it received the treatment from Andujar. Every winner he hit found the corner and the world number 16 had no chance. Andujar will now serve for the set.
But hang on a minute because Nishikori now has three break points...
Nishikori fires wide! Two left...
That's a bad miss from Nishikori. He had the whole court to hit and he would have won the point, but he fires a swing volley too long. One left...
Long again! That's poor from Nishikori. Deuce.
Another break point for Nishikori. Surely he'll take it this time...
No, he won't! It's an ace from Andujar. What a time to pull that out of the hat.
Set point Andujar...
Do either of these want to win this game? It doesn't seem that they do. Andujar has a simple shot down the line but he overcooks it and the ball drifts out.
Long once again from Nishikori gives Andujar his second set point.
Okay, this is getting silly now. In a way it is great entertainment, but some of the shot selection and execution is just poor. This time it's wide from the Spaniard and we are back to deuce - hello old friend!
Break point Nishikori. Again...
Deuce! This time it's a decent serve from Andujar and although Nishikori gets some of his racket to the ball, it's not enough. Having said that, he immediately wins another break point...
Guess what? We are back to deuce! Better tennis time though as Andujar pulls Nishikori all around the court before producing a drop shot. Nishikori gets there, but only provides Andujar with an easy passing shot which he converts. Don't fear though Nishikori fans, your man has another break point...but he's wasted it by firing long. Again! Madness. Deuce.
Set point Andujar thanks to a smash. Surely this time...
No! He's hit the tape at the top of the net. Any chance we can call this a draw?! Deuce.
A lovely drive volley out of the air from Andujar lands on the line and brings up his fourth set point...
SET! After all that, the scruffiest point you will ever see wins the set for Andujar. He only has to land the ball in the court and would have won it. Instead, he clips the top of the net and the ball drops just over on Nishikori's side. The Spaniard instantly says sorry to his opponent. After all that, I feel a little cheated! Andujar won't care though - he leads 1-0.
Well, after that 15-minute game, the players are back with us. Nishikori, who needs to win this set to stay in the match, will get us underway.
The perfect start to this second set by Nishikori, who produces a love-hold. That's a really positive message he has sent out to his opponent there. Can Andujar respond?
Well, Nishikori will be kicking himself because he was 30-0 up in that game, but then allowed Andujar to serve out. What will annoy the Japanese player even more is the fact that three of the points he surrendered were down to him committing unforced errors He'll see that as a missed opportunity.
Another emphatic hold by Nishikori - he's serving very well at the moment. While that seems to be taking care of itself, he needs to break Andujar. How he didn't manage in the last set I'll never know, but he needs to put that behind him now.
Break point for Nishikori. Is this his moment?
Of course it isn't! He goes long and we have deuce. Another 15-minute game coming up perhaps?!
Once again Nishikori pushes Andujar hard but once again he's not successful. I've lost count of how many break-point opportunities he has passed up today. You've got to admire his positive attitude, but it's not helping him today. It's more of a hindrance.
And now Andujar has two break points. This will hurt Nishikori...
One down, another to go...
BREAK! That is the salt in Nishikori's wound - it really is. He's failed to take so many break point chances and it is punished by the Spaniard. Andujar is now in the driving seat and you'd have to back him to win the match from here.
That is pretty routine for Andujar, despite the fact that Nishikori got 30 points on the board. He's now just two games away from a semi-final against Rafael Nadal.
And that is as far as I'm taking you. I'll be handing over to Mr Matt Domm, who will guide you through the remainder of this encounter - plus Andy Murray vs. Tomas Berdych and Stanislas Wawrinka vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - you lucky people! Enjoy! Matt...
Thanks Liam. I'm here to guide you through the rest of this one and the two matches to follow. Plenty of tennis to look forward to!
We start with a gruelling hold from Nishikori who survives what would have been a fatal break point to stay just about in the match. He surely must break here.
Andujar goes long with a straightforward forehand to give the Japanese the early advantage. However, he responds with a fine net point. Nishikori fights back with some solid baseline hitting before advancing to the net to wrong-foot the Spaniard with a forehand. Then on game point Andujar spots his opponent coming forward again so plants a lovely lob into the open court to move one away from the match.
That's an emphatic hold from Nishikori! He takes it to love, finishing with an ace, to do just about all he can in this situation - force the Spaniard to serve for the match.
Nishikori isn't going out without a fight here. Some solid hitting has taken him to 0-30.
He thinks he's taken it to 40-15, but the in call is overruled by the umpire and Andujar has levelled.
BREAK! Andujar is millimetres away from burying a forehand but instead gives up a break point, which Nishikori takes full advantage of by forcing the error into the net. This one has got legs yet!
Andujar is fighting back! It's 0-30 on the Japanese serve.
Now three break points for the Spaniard as Nishikori plops one long, poorly.
One is saved as Andujar fires a rising forhand into the top of the net...
That point had Andujar written all over it before the Japanese smashed a backhand down the line with the smallest margin of error. Just one break point left.
Deuce! He's saved them all, but that last point was all Andujar's doing as he goes long with the backhand.
Booming forehand down the line from Nishikori gets him game point - he only seems to be playing today when his back is against the ropes. He then undoes his hard work with a double fault, before offering up a break point by hitting the net. Can the Spaniard take this game?..
BREAK! He can! Andujar earns himself a second shot at serving for the match. Surely he won't throw away two opportunities to take it?
Maybe he will... Two shots have gone wide and now Nishikori is 0-30 up. Deja vu.
Just as before, the Spaniard fights back to level the game. It's 30-30.
However, he goes into the net and the Japanese has another break point. This one is saved superbly with a one-two from a booming serve.
Nishikori gets another break point, but it's well saved before another big serve gets him match point!
GAME, SET AND MATCH ANDUJAR!
What a win that is for Andujar against the conqueror of Roger Federer. Nishikori is off the court sharpish but the man from Valencia doesn't want the celebrations to end. He's into the semi-finals and it's well deserved.
There is about 20-25 minutes until the next match, so some words from the victor Andujar just coming up.
Naturally, the Spaniard is shocked to have got this far. He told Sky Sports News: "I really enjoyed it out on court and that I think made the difference. It's a big surprise for me to get this far. It's the first time I've reached the semi-finals, or even the quarter-finals. I was feeling good so thought I could win some matches, but never thought I could get this far."
His attitude and frame of mind is also promising. Some players might have thrown away the whole match after being broken when serving for the match.
On that he said: "I tried not to think about throwing away the first chance [of serving for the match] and just tried to focus on the next point."
His reward for knocking out the world number 15? Facing probably the best clay court competitor ever to have played the game, Rafael Nadal.
Andujar was understandably less than optimistic about his chances. He said: "I have nothing to lose against Rafael Nadal. He is the best clay court player ever, so what can I say apart from I'll enjoy it?"
So up next we will have British number one and world number three Andy Murray, who will be taking on Czech Rupublic's world number six Tomas Berdych.
Overall, the pair have faced each other eight times. Both men have four wins but, perhaps most importantly, Berdych is up 2-0 on clay. It's a surface that can balance out small differences in world standing and there's no question Murray has a big task ahead of him.
Interestingly, both men have 401 career wins. However, Murray's have come from not much more than 500, while Berdych has had over 600 career matches. We're two minutes away...
The warmups are done, the floodlights are coming on and we're set for a fantastic match of tennis.
It's Berdych to serve first.
The Czech shows his attacking intent early on, advancing to the net on the first point but his forehand is narrowly wide. It doesn't put him off, though, as he wins the next point with a stop volley. It's already really good tennis as Murray follows up a slightly overhit drop shot with a fine backhand winner. He earns a break point but it's saved when he hits long after being forced into the corner of the court, before netting for a tough first hold for the Czech.
Murray wins the first two points with a lot of help from a couple of big serves. Berdych then gets the better of a rally to pull a point back, but nets an unforced error. Murray makes no mistake to take his first service game and level the match.
Brilliant shot from Berdych to switch an angled soft volley across court and even Murray cannot reach it. Luka Modric is spotted in the stands just before Berdych makes it 40-0 with a forehand winner. Murray follows up with a splendid pass from the baseline but it's too little too late for him in the game as Berdych defends before advancing to the net for the winner.
Murray tries a decent enough drop shot from high on the baseline, but it's easy for Berdych to get to for the point with one of his own. Aside from that it's a strong service game from the Brit and he finishes it off with his best tennis so far - a wide serve followed by a disguised forehand down the line.
Murray wins the first point after a gruelling rally, with Berdych eventually going wide. The Czech follows up, however, with a booming one-two for a clean inside-out winner down the line. His serve is finding its target now more often than not as a couple of big ones leave Murray with no chance - an impressive hold to 15.
There's still just the one very early break point from Murray in this one. Both men are serving really well to start. Something will have to give sooner or later, though.
Berdych is doing his level best to stay in Murray's service games, but the Brit just has too much whenever he gets his first serve in - which is most of the time currently! Another very strong hold to 15 for Murray, and we remain with serve.
It's a break point for Murray...
BREAK! As if the last game wasn't tough at all, Berdych is straight back to finding the corner of the service box. Murray starts the game being run ragged trying to keep in each point, but he pulls back to 30-30 after a couple of errors from his opponent. Then he earns a sniff with the break point and fires a wonderful cross-court forehand to take the opening break of the match.
Just brilliant from Murray! Berdych's return flicks off the top of the net but Murray is in rapidly to divert it down the line for the winner!
From the sublime to the ridiculous as Murray gives up a disappointing double fault. That lets Berdych in and he fights back with a fizzing forehand just over the top of the net. Then a fine backhand winner gets him break back point...
Murray levels it with a big ace for deuce.
BREAK! That's a big game of tennis. Murray thinks he's taken it with a serve that's just millimetres out of the box, but responds with a wicked flicked backhand on the stretch right down the line. Berdych claims another break point with an absolutely brilliant lob from the baseline and finishes it off at the net. Great game.
Murray has started brightly after the disappointment of being broken back and leads 0-30.
Murray nets a backhand to let Berdych back in but the Czech goes long for two Murray break points...
He saves one as Murray just goes long...
Big serve followed by a backhand down the line at the net and we're back to deuce.
Murray earns another break point when Berdych finds the net but the Czech saves it before finally managing to hold a very important game indeed.
Really good tennis from Murray. The point of the game was a superbly disguised drop shot that Berdych was nowhere near. An ace wraps up the service game to love. We're heading for a tie break it seems.
Or maybe not... Murray moves right up the court on Berdych's second serve and the Czech goes long for 0-30.
A poor return goes into the tramlines and we're back at 30-30.
What a point! At 40-30 Murray sends his opponent all over the court before forcing the error with a big forehand into the corner.
I think there's been just the one hold to love as Berdych just about clings on again to his serve after deuce. Now Murray must hold for a breaker.
At 0-15 Murray plays a wonderful drop shot under immense pressure. Superb. He fights back to win the game with an ace and take us to a tie break.
Berdych 1-0* Murray
Berdych 2-0* Murray
Berdych *2-1 Murray
Berdych *3-1 Murray
Berdych 4-1* Murray
Berdych 5-1* Murray
Berdych *5-2 Murray
Berdych *6-2 Murray
Berdych 6-3* Murray
SET! Well, Berdych was in control in that breaker. Murray was better in the set as a whole, but Berdych served, volleyed and hit from the baseline superbly to take the opener!
BREAK! Back to the drawing board for Murray, then, Berdych really attacks the second serve and hits one particularly fine forehand winner. He gets a break point with another down the line which Murray saves with a big serve. However, he can't stop the next one as he goes into the tramlines and loses serve at the very first time of asking in set two.
Murray's battling back here and works hard to move ahead 15-30.
Now he has two break points with a solid display of defence to force the error.
BREAK! It's another wide one from Berdych and he's been broken back. He somewhat gave it up there, which is odd considering how on the ball he's been so far. We're bcak on serve, then.
A morale-boosting hold for Murray. He is slow out of the blocks in his next service game and quickly finds himself 0-30 down. An ace claws another point back before he hands Berdych two break points with a double fault. Murray saves one before Berdych swings a wild forehand wide for deuce. On the next point Murray opens up the court with a drop shot, before passing into the open space and winning the game with a booming shot down the line.
Murray is on the attack but at 15-30 Berdych gets across rapidly for the forehand volley winner with Murray pressing for the kill. He follows up with an ace but there is nothing at all he can do about an unbelievable sliced backhand right on to the line - the Czech didn't move! Murray earns a break point by firing into Berdych's body as he looked for the volley but it's saved with a fine serve and volley. Murray goes wide and Berdych just holds. There have been some very long games in this one.
Three break points for Berdych!
BREAK! A break to love for the Czech and this could be the end of Murray now. He played until late last night and this could be a step too far against a good clay court player.
Murray is showing signs of giving up the ghost here. He's running sluggishly and his forehand is far too loose as he puts one well wide for 30-0. It's a comfortable hold for Berdych and he's closing this out it seems.
There are still signs of the real Murray out there! Berdych comes to the net and Murray's eyes light up as he flicks a backhand pass for a sublime winner. Then he follows up with a double fault for deuce... There's the "come on" as Murray claims advantage and he finally wraps up the game. Berdych still in control, though.
Berdych races into a 40-0 lead here - his serve is looking really strong now as he sends a smashed winner down the court.
It's now 40-30 as Berdych completely scuffs a forehand after setting up the point so well.
Berdych hangs on and a break here will see him into the semi-finals. If he doesn't then he will serve for the match. So simple in theory...
A really good service game from Murray. He finally finds his serving touch in this set and takes it after Berdych goes long. He needs a break now, though, or it's yet another defeat to a top-eight player on clay.
Fantastic smash from Berdych to start his service game in a positive manner.
GAME, SET AND MATCH BERDYCH! At 30-0 Murray comes out fighting with a sweeping forehand down the line but there's nothing he can do - Berdych books his place in the semis with Murray hitting wide. Straight-sets win for the Czech.
So Murray will just never quite get there on clay. He has now played 14 matches against top-eight players and that was his 13th defeat! Staggering for a player who is set to be world number two on Monday.
The match shaded two hours and it was a really gruelling contest with not many games being won to love. In the end Berdych was stronger at the key moments and took a deserved win. He will face to winner of Stanislas Wawrinka vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
That match, conveniently enough, is coming up next, and is where I'll be switching my attention.
Wawrinka, the world number 15 from Switzerland has reached this stage having only dropped one set. That was in the last round against Grigor Dimitrov, who he beat 3-6 6-4 6-1.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the French world number seven, is here after a tough battle yesterday against Fernando Verdasco, seeing off the Spaniard 4-6 6-3 6-2. The players are out warming up, so we aren't too far from the start of play.
Tsonga wins the toss and takes a full 10 seconds to decide whether to serve or receive. In the end he gives the serve to his Swiss opponent. It's a bit late, so I'll let him off, but he'd better hope his decisions on the court are quicker than that or he'll be going home.
As far as I'm concerned Tsonga is the most exciting player on the tour to watch. At his best few can touch him but - and this is perhaps what makes him so good to watch - he is often infuriatingly inconsistent, even within the same match.
So here we go then, Wawrinka readying himself to serve us underway.
Strong start from the Swiss, who serves strongly and advances to the net for the early winner. However, Tsonga fights back to win an early break point, which Wawrinka responds to with a huge serve that is returned long. Wawrinka battles back from another break point down to take the opener.
Wawrinka moves into a 0-30 lead on the Tsonga serve and is just putting the Frenchman under a bit of pressure.
Two break points for Wawrinka as Tsonga goes long...
BREAK! What a start from Wawrinka! I'd have made Tsonga favourite in that rally but he pings a backhand right on the line to take a 2-0 lead. Brilliant stuff so far form the Swiss.
Tsonga moves into a 15-30 lead in the game but Wawrinka slams a forehand that the Frenchman cannot return to level the scores. Another astonishing backhand winner takes Wawrinka into a rapid early 3-0 lead. Tsonga has to respond or this could quickly get away from him.
Better from Tsonga, as his forehands start to find the target moving him into a 30-0 lead.
BREAK! Tsonga goes for the disguised drop shot but just finds the top of the net. That gives Wawrinka hope as he fires the third blinding backhand winner to move to 30-40. All of a sudden it's deuce and everything Wawrinka is trying is coming off! From 0-40 down he gets a break point and Tsonga fires a backhand wide for a double break!
He can hardly do anything wrong the Swiss. Tsonga has yet to hit a clean winner as his opponent is just on top of everything he can throw at him. A big serve brings up 40-15 and despite then going long he recovers to take the fifth game somewhat comfortably again.
Finally Wawrinka mishits some shots. First the trusty backhand lets him down before the ball loops in the air off the shoulder of his racquet. However, he responds with a clean return winner back to Tsonga's side and again from 0-40 it's deuce! He's even coming to the net is Stan! That's a brilliant shot from Tsonga to wrong-foot the Swiss in the corner but he follows it up with an appalling backhand that goes wide of the net stanchion. However after 23 minutes he's finally off the mark.
Marvellous tennis! Tsonga reads a smash and returns it well but Wawrinka, now at the net, is equal with a couple of volleys to win the point.
Hello... Wawrinka nets and Tsonga has two break points.
BREAK! What a response from Stan to save the first. He had to get that forehand bang on and he did as it kissed the line as it flew past the Frenchman. He's then long with a backhand and Tsonga gets one of the breaks back.
Tsonga starts this important service game with a double fault, before going long with a lob to go 0-30 behind.
A series of booming backhands sees Tsonga lob one in the air for a smashed winner and three set points.
SET! He only need one and brings up the first set with his third break of the match. Just brilliant from Wawrinka, but quite the opposite from Tsonga.
It's more of the same to start the second, as Wawrinka finds the corner with a powerful second serve, winning the point when Tsonga goes long. In no time it's 40-0 and not long after that Wawrinka wraps it up 40-15.
Still Tsonga's serve just isn't there at the start of the point, and because of it he's being beaten in the rallies by his opponent. Wawrinka is up 0-40, again very rapidly, and more through Tsonga's mistakes than his own doing. Then it's marvellous from Tsonga! It took him to be 0-40 down before we saw his best tennis in a point that included a lob and a drop shot from the Frenchman. It's given him a boost for sure and he levels it up with a booming serve. A couple of points later and Tsonga wins the battle with his own head to claim a massive, massive hold.
What a shot from Tsonga! He's 15-40 down and has just whipped a ridiculous backhand on the run right past the Swiss! However, Wawrinka holds in what was otherwise quite a comfortable game.
It was important for Stan to win that last game as it took the sting out of Tsonga's big hold the game before. Suddenly it's back to as we were as Tsonga puts a drop shot into the net for 0-30.
BREAK! His body language is just not right as he loses yet another service game, finishing with a very loose backhand into the tramlines.
Important point there for the Swiss, as Tsonga goes long at 0-30 ahead.
BREAK! At 30-40, Wawrinka slams a wonderful forehand right on the line to bring it back to deuce and then puts us back on serve with a break. It's no over yet.
This is more like it from Tsonga, as he moves on to 30-15 with a brilliant forehand winner - just his ninth of the match so far.
Tsonga levels up the set with some much better tennis. Wawrinka is just looking human now as he is making a few mistakes.
Wawrinka responds well, but he's not playing to the standard of the first set. That said, he takes the game with a forehand that just clipped the line and the out decision was overruled by the umpire.
The Swiss isn't having much impact on the Tsonga serve just lately. The Frenchman is finding his range well, that is until Wawrinka comes to the net to win his 10th point of 13 when advancing. Tsonga takes the game to level the set once more.
Break points are few and far between at the moment. Wawrinka takes another comfortable service game and as it stands we're heading to a tie-break. It would be the perfect time for a Stan break here...
A rare free point given away by Wawrinka there as he goes long to set Tsonga on his way. The next point is all the Frenchman, though, as he slices a volley into the empty space at the net. Tsonga holds comfortably - will we see a break before the breaker?
It doesn't look likely to be Tsonga in this game, though, as the Swiss moves up 30-0 after another baseline rally.
Tsonga sets up a point perfectly and drives to the net, but mishits the volley when he gets there!
Wawrinka this time thinks he's won a point, but Tsonga flashes a forehand past him for deuce.
The returning is much better from Tsonga now, but this time his forehand across court goes just wide and Wawrinka is potentially a game away from the semis.
Perfect start from Tsonga with an ace right down the T.
There's no separating these two in this set, so we go to the tie-breaker - who will hit form at the right time?
Wawrinka 1-0* Tsonga
Wawrinka 2-0* Tsonga
Wawrinka *2-1 Tsonga
Wawrinka *2-2 Tsonga
Wawrinka 2-3* Tsonga
Wawrinka 2-4* Tsonga
Wawrinka *2-5 Tsonga
Wawrinka *3-5 Tsonga
Wawrinka 4-5* Tsonga
Wawrinka 5-5* Tsonga
MATCH POINT! Wawrinka *6-5 Tsonga
Wawrinka *6-6 Tsonga
MATCH POINT! Wawrinka 7-6* Tsonga
Wawrinka 7-7* Tsonga
SET POINT! Wawrinka *7-8 Tsonga
Wawrinka *8-8 Tsonga
MATCH POINT! Wawrinka 9-8* Tsonga
UNBELIEVABLE SAVE! Wawrinka 9-9* Tsonga
SET POINT! Wawrinka *9-10 Tsonga
SET! Tsonga saves match point with the shot of the day at 8-9 down in the breaker, before moving on to take the set in a thrilling set. We're going the distance.
Now Tsonga is full of confidence and looking fresh. He wins the first game after that cracker of a tie-break, and takes it to love.
Wawrinka starts his game brightly to race into a 30-0 lead, but Tsonga fights back to level it. However, Wawrinka takes a vital game by forcing the error from Tsonga, who nets.
Wawrinka seemed to offer very little resistance in that game, but Tsonga allowed him to pull level. The Frenchman was lethal from deuce, however, and takes the game with a strong forehand winner.
Wawrinka is in trouble there but he manages to come from behind to hold well. Tsonga is certainly on top now, but it could still go either way.
Now Wawrinka has a real chance. He's started this game brilliantly and is up 0-30.
Now he has three break points, out of the blue!
BREAK! One is saved, but Wawrinka wraps up the break at a very good time as Tsonga was starting to get on top. His backhand was firing then and used it really well to force the error.
Now he's flying. Back on serve, the Swiss leads 40-0.
And there it is. A rapid hold to follow the break, and reaching the semi-final is now well and truly in his own hands.
Magnificent from Wawrinka. Tsonga is at the net but the Swiss clips a delightful backhand round and over him to clip the line for the winner. However, Tsonga fights back with patience in a rally to force an error from the Wawrinka forehand. It's a real battle this game and advantage goes to Tsonga as Wawrinka goes long returning a smash. Wawrinka hits back with a thunderous forehand the bounced at the feet of Tsonga but the Frenchman finally holds. Vitally.
An error on the Wawrinka forehand allows Tsonga back into the point after the Swiss was 30-0 up, but he recovers to smash home a winner to take the game and move one away from the match - but we've been there before...
Tsonga ensures that Wawrinka must serve again at least once with a confident service game of his own. Over to you, Stan, he's probably thinking.
So far, so good. The first point goes to Wawrinka with a big smash down the line.
Tsonga levels and then Wawrinks goes wide on what should have been a simple forehand and finds himself 15-30 down.
Wawrinka ramps up the pressure after a net shot from Tsonga and forces another error for another match point...
GAME, SET AND MATCH WAWRINKA! He's finally done it! A big serve sets up the point and Tsonga goes long to send Wawrinka through to meet Berdych. That was a great match and a top effort from Tsonga to fight back.
That's all from us tonight. Thanks for joining us for the action and we hope you enjoyed it! Goodnight.
Written by
Liam Apicella
Liam Apicella
