Monte Carlo Masters: Rafael Nadal Beat Stan Wawrinka; Sets Up Murray Semi Final

Former world number one, Rafael Nadal seems to be getting his groove back following his victory over Stan Wawrinka to reach the 2016 Monte Carlo Masters semifinals.

The Spaniard, who defeated the 31-years old Swiss 6-1, 6-4 on Friday will face Britain's number one, Andy Murray to reach the final for the first time in this calendar year..

Nadal made his 11th Monte Carlo semi finals and has been regarded as the favourite to clinch

his ninth title here since Federer and top-ranked Djokovic are both out.

''I defended well, I moved well,'' Nadal said. ''When I had the opportunity, I was trying to control the point.''

Meanwhile, world number two, Andy Murray beat Milos Raonic 6-2, 6-0 for the second time this year to book a date with Nadal.

''If I play like I did today, I'll have a chance,'' said Murray, who lost to Nadal in the semifinals in 2009 and 2011 when Nadal was winning eight consecutive Monte Carlo titles.

But Murray beat Nadal in the Madrid Masters final last year, when he won his first two career titles on clay, and Nadal called him ''a complete player in all aspects.''

Murray, who was inconsistent in his previous two matches, did not face a break point against the big-serving Canadian and also broke his serve five times.

''I served well today,'' Murray said. ''Milos can keep the pressure on if you don't serve well.''

Nadal improved to 15-3 in career matches against Wawrinka, the French Open champion who began as a winner in three of their last five contests.

Having saved 15 of 17 break points in the third round against Dominic Thiem, Nadal conceded only one chance this time.

Wawrinka drew jeers from the crowd in the fifth game of the first set when he broke his racket, angrily bending it around his thigh.

The Swiss player was also frustrated by the noise level coming from people enjoying their lunch in the restaurant perched above center court.

''You wonder whether people are coming to have lunch or to watch tennis. I don't believe they saw a lot of the match ... I think they also drank a lot of alcohol.'' Wawrinka said. ''When you don't play well and you're not in your match, it can bother you.''

Nadal took a more moderate view.

''It's not new,'' he said. ''We cannot talk about that after having the same story every day (since) I came here for the first time in 2003.''

In the second set, Wawrinka continued to struggle and was taken either to deuce or broken in every service game.

Wawrinka saved two match points but netted a forehand on Nadal's next opportunity.

''I wasn't able to put my game into place,'' Wawrinka said. ''I really need to work on two or three things. I have two weeks, or a bit more, before I go to Madrid.''

Gael Monfils plays Marcel Granollers later in the remaining quarterfinal. Yahoosports