18 Apr 2009

Djokovic muscles into Monte Carlo semis

7:21 am on 18 April 2009

Serbia's world number three tennis player Novak Djokovic floored high-flying Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-2 4-6 6-3 to book his place in the Monte Carlo Masters semi-finals.

The Australian Open semi-finalist Verdasco, who had crushed compatriot David Ferrer 6-2 6-1 in the previous round, was undone by Djokovic's unerring accuracy in a gripping two hour and 18 minute tussle.

The Serb will face 13th seed Stanislas Wawrinka for a place in the final after the Swiss backed up his dumping of Davis Cup and Olympic team-mate Roger Federer by easing past German qualifier Andreas Beck 6-2 6-4.

Defending champion Rafael Nadal and fourth seed Andy Murray booked their places in the quarter-finals and face their second matches in a day as organisers bid to get the tournament back on track after rain delays.