• Monte Carlo Masters

Murray breezes past Gil to set up Nadal clash

Andy Murray eased into the semi-finals © Getty Images

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Monte Carlo Masters seedings

Federer sent packing as Nadal cruises into semis

Andy Murray set up a semi-final showdown with world No. 1 and six-time defending champion Rafael Nadal after a straight-sets victory over Portuguese qualifier Frederico Gil.

Murray, who was booed off the court after being outplayed by Philipp Kohlschreiber in his opening match in Monaco last year, had been on a three-match losing streak since January when he arrived, but after chalking up a third straight win showed signs that he is back to his best form.

Despite not feeling completely at home on clay, Murray dictated the play against the world No. 82 and faced little resistance as he claimed a 6-2 6-1 victory in just 71 minutes on court.

Murray's confidence has grown as the week progressed and he broke Gil in the third game and never gave his opponent a chance to get back into the match. Another break of serve in the first set and three in the second saw the Scot ease into the last four.

"I played very well today, tricky conditions it was quite breezy at some points but I hit the ball very well for the majority of the match and I got the tactics spot on," Murray told Sky Sports.

Murray has only beaten Nadal four times in 13 matches, but will take confidence from their last meeting on clay, at the same stage of the tournament in 2009, when the Scot saved match point at 5-3 down to take the second set to a tiebreaker.

"He's obviously incredibly difficult to beat on clay, that's obvious," Murray said. "But you need to believe you can win, go out there and execute the game plan you set out from the first point to the last and you give yourself a chance."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.