On Friday, Rafael Nadal entered the semi finals of Barcelona Open while Murray was ousted by Milos Raonic. Nadal beat 5th seeded World no.8 Janko Tipsarevic 6-2, 6-2 in an hour and 23 minutes.

The first two games were very competitive as both players tried to counter each other shot for shot. Both players had game point chances but Nadal won the important points to go ahead 2-0. He broke again to 3-0 when Tipsarevic double faulted at break point. Nadal played some of his best tennis of the year to lead 5-1 and had a set point as well. When Nadal was serving for the set, he seemed to relax and was in trouble at 0-40 but came up with some aggressive ground strokes, attacking net play to get back to deuce winning the set at 6-2.

The six time winner then broke serve early in the second set to gain a 2-0 lead. Tipsarevic fought back to level at 2-2 even winning some long rallies from the back court. However that was the end of the fight as Nadal regained control sweeping the last four games to win the second set at 6-2 closing the match with two consecutive aces. The Spaniard must be pleased with his level after a less than convincing display earlier in the tournament.

Nadal next faces 2010 Champion Fernando Verdasco who won when Kei Nishikori retired when trailing 2-4 with an abdominal injury.

The big upset of the day was rising star Milos Raonic’s win over 2nd seed Andy Murray 6-4, 7-6(3). Raonic served 14 aces and used his big forehand too to good effect to record the win. He will next face David Ferrer who had to save 3 match points before subduing fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-7(4), 7-6(7), 6-3. Ferrer saved 2 match points at 4-5 in the second set and one in the tie breaker also to win in 2hours and 45 minutes.

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