World No.3 Andy Murray defeated World No.8 David Ferrer 7-6, 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 in the men’s singles quarter-finals to enter the semi-finals of the French Open here.

Andy Murray became the first British player to reach three semi-finals at Roland Garros, and will now face World No.1 Novak Djokovic who earlier in the day outclassed World No.7 Rafael Nadal 7-5, 6-3, 6-1.

Murray won a topsy-turvy first set that included three breaks of serve for each player.

The Scot saved two set points while serving at 5-6, only to find his footing in the tie-break. He would claim the 68-minute opener 7-6(4) on his fourth set point.

The second set proved to be a much more straightforward affair for Murray, as he saved all three break points he faced while breaking Ferrer twice to win it comfortably 6-2.

Murray missed a match point in the third set but dominated the fourth to extend his unbeaten run on clay to 15 matches.

The victory takes him through to his 16th Grand Slam semi-final.

It looked as though Murray might have let the chance slip when a 3-0 lead and a match point went begging in the third set.

However, two fabulous backhand passes helped him reassert his dominance early in the fourth and the Scot wrapped up arguably his best clay-court win after three hours and 16 minutes.