Andy blows Gael aside in Madrid

Andy Murray produced a hugely-impressive performance against Gael Monfils today to sweep into the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters.

Murray needed little more than an hour to outclass the Frenchman 6-2, 6-2 and he will now face either world No2 Roger Federer or Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro.

As against third-round opponent Marin Cilic yesterday, world No4 Murray made a sluggish start by losing his opening service game.

However, the British No1 hit back immediately to level the scores and then broke Monfils again in the sixth and eighth games.

It was not as easy as the scoreline suggested because Monfils, 22, matched him blow for blow in the early rallies. He also took Murray to deuce in each of the Scot's next two service games.

However, Monfils could not take advantage and unforced errors and frustrations started to creep into his game. The first three games of the second set went with serve but Murray broke in the fourth and sixth games to take a 5-1 lead.

Monfils broke back in the seventh match but too late to the turn the match around.

"I'm hitting the ball well this week. I like this court," said Murray, who would relish the chance to play Federer again. "At the US Open, I wished I could have played better but he was great and deserved to win."

There was never any doubt Murray was in control against Monfils and his only qualm was over some slipshod serving early in the match.

"When you play against someone like Gael, you know you'll have some fun," he said. "We've known each other since the juniors and I know his game pretty well.

"I served very badly at the start. But once I got a few more serves in, I only lost one more game until I lost my focus right at the end. I started to relax and hit the ball pretty well. It was a really satisfying performance."