Defending champion Rafael Nadal beat fifth seed Janko Tipsarevic 6-2, 6-2 in the Barcelona Open on Friday for his 25th win of the season.
“I felt well. I played a very good match, better than yesterday,” commented Nadal. “Very happy to be back in the semi-finals.You cannot expect an easy match against the No 8 in the world. 6-2, 6-2 is a very good result for me.”
Nadal is looking to win this event for the seventh time in eight years, having missed the tournament in 2010.
“I have a lot of confidence from my past results here but it doesn’t mean it will continue that way,” Nadal said. “Each match is different. I go on court and try my best in every moment and hope it goes well for me.”
Nadal will take on fellow Spaniard and No 9 seed Fernando Verdasco in the last four. The 2010 champion was leading Japan’s Kei Nishikori 4-2 when the eighth seed retired due to an abdominal injury.
Third seed David Ferrer also reached the semi finals but had to save three match points to beat fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-7(4), 7-6(7), 6-3. It was Ferrer’s 27th match win of the year and he is now looking for his fourth title of the season.
Ferrer will meet world No. 25 Milos Raonic for a place in the final. Raonic upset world no. 4 Andy Murray 6-4, 7-6(3)
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