Rafael Nadal returned to a semi-final for the first time since August with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Mikhail Youzhny, while Andy Murray's dream died.
PARIS: Rafael Nadal returned to a semi-final for the first time since August with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Mikhail Youzhny, while Andy Murray's dream of the year-end finale died a French death at the Paris Masters.
Nadal, a three-time Roland Garros champion, with his win Friday has now triumphed in all the 27 matches he has played in the city.
Murray was well on his way after level-pegging at a set each with Richard Gasquet before a costly break to love in the fifth game of the third put the Scot on the slippery slope to defeat in just over 90 minutes.
The loss leaves Murray high and dry in his quest for a spot in the season-ending event starting Nov 11 in Shanghai. The last spot after the evening qualification of Fernando Gonzalez on seventh will go to Marcos Baghdatis or Gasquet.
Baghdatis needs a title, and Gasquet would have to lose in the semis to Argentine David Nalbandian for the Cypriot to go through.
"All the players are playing well, and there are not many points difference between," said Baghdatis, 2006 Australian Open runner-up.
"I was 22 (in the points standings) last week, today I can be eight. I try to stay positive, to enjoy myself on the court, to play my game without thinking too much. Even if I don't go to the Masters Cup, I know I learned a lot during this year and learned a lot for next year."
Nadal was pleased to find his level again after a poor run recently due to knee tendinitis.
"It was an important match for me," said Nadal. "I'm very happy to come back and play a tournament like this. The last two matches have been very good for me. I'm happy, not totally for the victory but for playing very good tennis today."
Argentine Nalbandian earned a marathon win Friday in a battle of grinders, playing for pride after missing out on a possible spot in the season-ending competition.
Nalbandian, ranked 25th after standing third in the world behind Roger Federer and Nadal a year ago on the ATP, stopped Spain's David Ferrer 7-6 (7-3), 6-7 (3-7), 6-2.
The South American is in the hunt for his second consecutive tournament trophy after beating Federer nearly three weeks ago for the Madrid honours.
He reinforced his current superiority over the Swiss with a defeat of Federer in the Paris third round.
Nalbandian is waiting in the final four for Richard Gasquet.
Unseeded Marcos Baghdatis knocked Tommy Robredo out of the race 6-4, 6-4.
Despite Robredo's exit, Spain will still have two representatives in Shanghai: Nadal and Ferrer.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}