Berdych packs Murray off

Tomas Berdych was as giddy as a little boy after overpowering world number four Andy Murray in their Monte Carlo Masters quarter-final on Friday to set up a clash with top seed Novak Djokovic.

The sixth seed made the Briton dizzy as he relied on his powerful forehand to prevail 6-7, 6-2, 6-3 in the season’s first big claycourt event, where Rafa Nadal is still on track to defend his title after seeing off Stanislas Wawrinka.

Czech Berdych, who already reached the semi-final of the Mediterranean glamour tournament in 2007, will face world number one Djokovic after the Serb thrashed Dutchman Robin Haase 6-4, 6-2 in 77 minutes.

Holder Nadal, who is chasing an record eighth consecutive crown in the principality, also booked his place in the semi-final when he defeated Swiss Wawrinka 7-5, 6-4.

The Spaniard will take on a Frenchman as Gilles Simon and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

First Published: Apr 20, 2012 18:43 IST