Thursday, Nov. 05, 2009

Murray, Davydenko, Verdasco move into Valencia SFs

Top-seeded British star Andy Murray, second-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko and Spanish crowd favorite Fernando Verdasco were among Friday's quarterfinal winners at the $2.98 million Valencia Open.

The world No. 4 Murray mauled Spaniard Albert Montanes 6-4, 6-2 at this indoor hardcourt event.

The former U.S. Open runner-up Murray's semifinal opponent on Saturday will be the fourth-seeded Verdasco, who blew past seventh-seeded fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-2 on Day 5.

Verdasco was the Valencia titlist back in 2004.

Meanwhile, Davydenko handled Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) and Russian Mikhail Youzhny toppled fifth-seeded Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-4, 6-4.

Davydenko and Youzhny will face-off in an all-Russian semi here on Day 6.

The 2009 Valencia winner will take home $475,000.