Top seed Andy Roddick survived a battle against Taiwan's Lu Yen-hsun (
Roddick came from 5-2 down in the second set to clinch a 6-4, 7-6 win over the world No. 90 Lu after third seed Murray enjoyed a much more comfortable passage with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Austrian Stefan Koubek.
Murray beat Roddick in straight sets in the semi-finals of the San Jose Open in California last weekend on the way to winning the title.
PHOTO: AP
Lu, appearing in his first ATP Tour quarter-final, led 5-2 in the second set and had four set points in the tiebreak, double-faulting on the third, as a relieved Roddick claimed his place in the last four.
"It's a frustrating dynamic to feel like you're on the verge of playing well but you're just not quite there and that's what I've been battling for the last two weeks," Roddick told reporters. "I feel like I am striking the ball well, I just don't know if I am constructing the points as well as I normally do."
The former world No. 1 has lost three of his four meetings with Murray.
"He's tough and he's playing with a lot of confidence right now," he said. "He plays defense so well and he is not as affected by pace. He moves well and he doesn't play himself out of points."
Murray cruised to victory over Koubek, reaching the semi-finals for the third time in four events this year and extending his winning streak to eight matches.
The Austrian's only chance came when he forced two break points in the fourth game but Murray shut the door with two strong serves before breaking in the next game and easing to victory on his third match point.
Murray said he felt he would still be the underdog against Roddick.
"I still say he is the favorite," Murray said. "He is No. 4 in the world, has won a grand slam and has been No. 1. For me to win against a guy like that is still a huge result."
Defending champion and second-seeded Tommy Haas of Germany advanced to the semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over US wild card Sam Querrey.
He will next will meet fourth-seeded Marty Fish of the US, who advanced when Teimuraz Gabashvili of Russia was forced to retire in the second set with a viral illness. Fish was holding a 6-2, 4-1 lead when the match was stopped.
Venus Williams also advanced in the women's tournament and will challenge for her first title since Wimbledon in 2005 after posting a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Ioana Raluca Olaru of Romania in Friday's semi-finals.
Williams will face top-seeded Shahar Peer of Israel who secured her spot in the final with a 6-4, 7-5 triumph over Meilen Tu of the US.
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