Rafael Nadal moved in to the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters yesterday when injured Ivan Ljubicic retired with a leg problem to hand a 3-6, 6-3 win to the top-seeded Spaniard.

Nadal expressed disappointment at the bitter ending as the veteran Croatian could not go on at an event peppered with pullouts all week, including by Wimbledon finalist Andy Roddick and US Open winner Juan Martin Del Potro.


Rafael Nadal in action at the Shanghai Masters yesterday. PIC/AFP

"I'm sorry for Ivan," said the world number two, who has shared in physical problems this season. "I wish him a fast recovery.

"I know how tough it is to be injured," said Nadal, who missed his Wimbledon title defence due to knee problems and also needed a month to recover from abdominal strain.

Nadal will face a surprise opponent in unseeded compatriot Feliciano Lopez today, who continued his winning streak of his season. The 28-year-old produced his best showing of 2009 for a place in the final four with an upset of ninth seed Robin Soderling 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.

"I'm happy to be in the semi-finals. I'm also happy for Feliciano. He's been having a difficult year and this is a big result for him. He will be coming to the court with confidence. I hope to play a good match and have my chances to win."

Ljubicic took treatment on his leg and finally pulled the plug at the start of the third set.
Frenchman Gilles Simon put up a fight before second seed Novak Djokovic struggled through into his second straight semi-final in China with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 win in their quarter-final. Second seed Novak Djokovic backed up his Beijing title of last weekend as he overcame stiff resistance to advance into the last four, with Simon saving a pair of match points.u00a0- AFP