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)

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.

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.

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2009)