British No. 1 Andy Murray lost his serve in the opening game of the first Friday’s quarterfinal, but playing impressive tennis, especially in the second set, hadn’t problems to beat 6-2 6-2 Gael Monfils in 68 minutes on Pista Central.

In the semifinal Murray will have possibility to revenge Roger Federer for a defeat at the US Open’s final. The Swiss outplayed Juan Martin del Potro 6-3 6-3. Del Potro had begun the match in agressive style, serving 5 aces in his first service game but later served double fault twice on Federer’s break points and it cost him the match. “He started serving great, many aces,” Federer said. “That’s what makes him the good player he is. I had the ability to stay calm and use my slice well here in Madrid where conditions are very quick.”

Rafael Nadal knocked out his compatriot, the Madrid-resident Feliciano Lopez 6-4 6-4. No. 1 in the world was forced to save only two break points, both of them in the last game of the match.

The only three-setter of the day came in the last quarterfinal which was finished after midnight of the local time. Unseeded Gilles Simon withstood 27 aces from Ivo Karlovic to win 7-6(1) 4-6 7-6(2). For the Croat it was the match of wasting chances. In the first set Karlovic failed to serve out the set at 5:4 and saw Simon take the set in a tie-break. Big-serving Croat was leading 3:0 in the deciding set to allow the Frenchman win 3 consecutive games. 23 year-old Simon has reached second Masters Series semifinal this year and has noticed amazing streak of three wins this week in a tie-break of the third set. John Isner has been the last player who won more matches within one tournament after deciding set tie-break. Isner won 5 matches in a row 7-6 in the final set last year in Washington.

Quarterfinals - Madrid

(1)Rafael Nadal (ESP) d. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 6-4 6-4

Gilles Simon (FRA) d. (14)Ivo Karlovic (CRO) 7-6(1) 4-6 7-6(2)

(4)Andy Murray (GBR) d. Gael Monfils (FRA) 6-2 6-2

(2)Roger Federer (SUI) d. (9)Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) 6-3 6-3