Rafael Nadal reaches Madrid Open semifinals with a comfortable win over Grigor Dimitrov

Rafael Nadal plays a drop shot in his win over Grigor Dimitrov in the semifinals of Madrid Open

Madrid, May 9 (IANS)

Home favourite Rafael Nadal eased into the semi-finals of the Mutua Madrid Masters on Friday with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Bulgarian No. 10 seed, Grigor Dimitrov.

Cheered on by a partisan crowd in the Caja Magica, Nadal looked to be returning to his best form and Dimitrov was unable to trouble him and the Bulgarian's frustration grew as the match continued to such an extent that he smashed one of his racquets in frustration during the second set.

Nadal will face No. 6 seed Tomas Berdych who had to fight back from a set down against John Isner before finally winning through 3-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (1).

Andy Murray also confirmed his progress into the last four. The number two seed who has had to endure some strange timetabling this week defeated number 5 seed Milos Raonic 6-4, 7-5.

In the women's section, Petra Kvitkova will face Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final of the women's singles.

Unseeded Kuznetsova defeated number 3 seed and reigning Champion, Maria Sharapova 6-2, 6-4.

Sharapova never found her rhythm against her powerful rival, her first serve was again disappointing and her game littered with too many unforced errors. Number 4 seed Kvitkova then produced to inflict the first defeat of the year on an out of sorts, Serena Williams, 6-2, 6-3.

Williams showed her grit in the second set, breaking Kvitkova' s serve as the Czech served for the match, but her lack of form was evident as Kvitkova then broke back immediately to take the match and book her place in the final.