Nishikori to Face Dominant Murray in Q'final

World number one Andy Murray advanced to his fifth French Open semi-final on Wednesday, defeating Japanese eighth seed Kei Nishikori 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/0), 6-1.

The Brit recorded victory in their marathon three-setter at the World Tour Finals in London in November but Nishikori scored a momentous upset when he knocked Murray out of the U.S. Open last summer at the quarterfinal stage, 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5.

Third seed Stan Wawrinka is yet to drop a set and ended France's hopes for another year with a 7-5 7-6 (9/7) 6-2 victory over Gael Monfils.

The body language of Nishikori, who has never reached the last four of the French, hardly looked promising after that and Murray marched on to his 21st grand slam semi-final.

"Previous year he was also playing really well and I had to play one of my best matches on clay to beat him", Murray added. Early losses in three of his four clay-court events left him short of matches, unsure why he was playing badly and not sure how long it would take him to get out of it.

"I couldn't do anything first set, but I tried to play a little more heavy and a little more aggressive sometimes, and it started working a little bit better".

The other men's semi-final clash will pit Spanish nine-time champion and No. 4 seed Rafael Nadal against Austrian No. 6 seed Dominic Thiem, who upset second-seeded Serbian Novak Djokovic, the defending champion, in straight sets. A champion like him, they find a way to win matches.

"I am in semifinals with a very positive feelings", Nadal said.

'I think it will be an interesting match.

Murray is 10-7 against Wawrinka throughout his career.

"You have Ivan Lendl in your team, the guy has so much experience. It's not always about how well that you play or the level that you play at. but with the right attitude, right game plan, right tactics, you can still win matches".

Wawrinka was surprised to see the sixth seed win so easily, particularly picking up a bagel in the third set against the reigning champion. Stan this tournament has played great.

"It was wonderful tennis from Petra today and she was really striking the ball well", Svitolina said.

"I obviously want things to keep getting better, and obviously appreciate everyone still coming out to support the tennis and creating a fantastic atmosphere".

He added that he thinks "quite probably" the semifinals will be No. 1 vs. "I'm feeling good going into the middle part of the second week". "I think he's a very good umpire".