Nadal defeats Verdasco to make Madrid Open semi

MADRID, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Rafael Nadal, No. 1 in the world, defeated fellow Spaniard No. 7 Fernando Verdasco 6-4 and 7-5 to make the semifinal of the Madrid Open tennis tournament final on Friday.

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his match against  compatriot Fernando Verdasco at the Madrid Open tennis tournament May 15, 2009.(Xinhua/Chen Haitong)

Swiss Roger Federer, second of the world, downed American Andy Roddick 7-5, 6-7 and 6-1, and Serbian Novak Djokovic got his ticket to the semifinal by beating Croat Ivan Ljubicic 6-4 and 6-4.

In the semifinals on Saturday, Nadal will Djokovic while Federer faces the winner between Argentine Juan Martin del Potro and British Andy Murray.

In the women's event, Russian Dinara Safina, No. 1 in the world, defeated Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko 6-4 and 6-3, while French Amelie Mauresmo won over Hungarian Anges Szavay 5-7, 6-1 and 6-3.

Danish Caroline Wozniacki eliminated Swiss Vera Dushevna 6-0 and 6-4, and Serbian Jelena Jankovic lost to Swiss Patty Schnyder 7-6 and 6-3. In the semifinals, Mauresmo will play Wozniacki, and Safina against Schnyder.