Intro:

Rafael Nadal beat fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in four sets on Wednesday to reach the semi-finals of the French Open.
Andy Murray advanced to the semi-finals after beating Gael Monfils in five.

Script:

Four-time defending champion Rafael Nadal faced David Ferrer in the quarter-finals of the French Open on Wednesday - a repeat of last year's all-Spanish final.

Ferrer won just eight games on the way to a straight sets defeat in that meeting, but the number five seed started strongly and with two breaks of serve took the first set 6-4.

Nadal claimed an early break in the second set though and eventually converted that, taking the set 6-4 to level the match.

While Ferrer faltered dramatically, Nadal found his best form and went on to complete a 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, 6-1 to remain on course for his ninth French Open title and a fifth in succession.

Next up for Nadal is Britain's Andy Murray - after Murray beat Gael Monfils in the day's other quarter-final.

Murray got off to a solid start and looked like he would go through with ease.

He took the first set 6-4 and the second 6-0, but Monfils dug deep and spurred on by the home crowd managed to take the match to a deciding fifth set.

The Frenchman won the third set 6-4 before taking the fourth comfortably 6-1.

However, fatigue caught up with the 27-year-old and Murray booked his spot in the semi-finals with a 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 1-6, 6-0 win.