Nadal holds off strong Murray challenge in Rome

ROME: Rafael Nadal stormed back from a surprisingly poor opening set to edge Andy Murray 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 Thursday and secure a spot in the Italian Open semifinals.

Murray jumped out to a 5-0 lead and won the first set in just 37 minutes with a dominant display, as the Wimbledon champion unleashed a series of winners from just about everywhere on the court. But the top-ranked Nadal broke early in the second set and took control with a late break in the third to stay on course for his eighth title in Rome.

There were a series of breaks early in the third set and Murray took a 4-2 lead. But the British player was upset with the way he played the next game.

It was the third consecutive match in which Nadal was pushed to three sets, leaving his clay-court form in question entering Roland Garros, which starts in nine days.

Nadal´s semifinal opponent will be Grigor Dimitrov, while Novak Djokovic and Milos Raonic will meet in the other half of the draw.

Djokovic is back on track after a right wrist injury sidelined him last week. And Serena Williams is cruising again, too, after being slowed by a left thigh problem.

The second-ranked Djokovic overcame a stiff challenge from David Ferrer before grinding out a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 win and the top-ranked Williams then rolled past Zhang Shuai of China 6-1, 6-3 to stay on course in her title defense.

Williams´ semifinal opponent will be 2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic, who beat 13th-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. The other semifinal will pit local hope Sara Errani of Italy vs. 2007 and 2008 Rome champion Jelena Jankovic. (AP)