David Ferrer ended Andy Murray's quest for a first Grand Slam title with a four-set victory on Wednesday.
Murray, who has had injury problems throughout the clay-court season, played an error-prone match to hand the Spaniard a 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-2 win and a place in the semi-finals, where he will face Rafael Nadal.
"He had his chances and converted them," a disappointed Murray said. "He's solid and consistent and if you don't convert opportunities against him, the games become longer and the pressure builds on you."
Nadal continued his comfortable passage, with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, 6-3 victory over fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro in the quarterfinals. Tested by his compatriot more than anyone else in the tournament so far, Nadal notched up his 50th career win at Roland Garros.
"I was just trying to wait for my moments," Nadal said after the match. "He had some good moments and he was hitting the ball hard, but I had my chances, too.
Almagro, who like Nadal had not dropped a single set in this year's tournament, tested the world number two in the first set, but the defending champions, as he always does, found a way to win the first and then took control, despite not being at his best.
"Well, I'm very happy with my tennis today," Almagro said. "I think I played one of the best matches I can play against Rafa, but he's No. 1 in the world on this surface. The only thing I can say is I'm going to work a lot for the next time."
Nadal had nothing but praise for his opponent. "We've played each other a lot of times. We played in Barcelona and I won 7-6, 7-6. His game bothers everyone because he's one of the best players in the world, on clay especially. He's everything. A complete player."
Nadal will now face another Spaniard in David Ferrer who will probably provide the defending champion his toughest test yet.
"This tournament, I think, is very special for all the Spanish players, and also for me," Ferrer said.
"Winning a match against Rafa is almost impossible," Ferrer acknowledged. "He is in such good shape."
In the women's draw, Maria Sharapova continued her journey to complete a career Grand Slam with a regulation 6-2, 6-3 win over Estonian Kaia Kanepi.
Sharapova will face Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova after the Czech defeated Yaroslava Shvedoa 3-6, 6-2, 6-4. The other semi-final will be played between Australian Samantha Stosur and Sara Errani.
"I know Maria is a tough opponent," Kvitova said. "Yeah, I lost matches in the past, so I hope that I will remember something from the matches and try what I can to win against her.
"She's playing very well. She has had a great season right now, and she's a very tough opponent."
