On the courts Friday’s pro tennis events

May 16, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

Madrid Open

MADRID (AP) — Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal reached the Madrid Open semifinals on pace for a clay-court showdown in the final. Federer beat Andy Roddick again, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-1 while Nadal stayed perfect against Fernando Verdasco with a 6-4, 7-5 victory. Defending champion Andy Murray lost to fifth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro 7-6 (4), 6-3 for the first time in four meetings. Novak Djokovic will get a fourth shot at beating Nadal this year after dispatching wild card Ivan Ljubicic 6-4, 6-4. Top-ranked Dinara Safina advanced to the women’s last four with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Alona Bondarenko, and will play Patty Schnyder, who beat fourth-seeded Jelena Jankovic 7-6 (6), 6-3. Amelie Mauresmo will face Caroline Wozniacki in the other semi. Federer improved to 18-2 against sixth-seeded Roddick after their first career meeting on dirt. “His game translates well to most anything,” Roddick said. Nadal’s 32nd straight clay win made him 9-0 against Verdasco, including three this year. After taking the first set, Nadal fell behind 4-0 to his Davis Cup teammate before rallying to 4-4 with help from Verdasco’s seven double faults.