Monfils destroys top-shot Nadal in straight sets at Qatar Open

Doha: Gael Monfils made it a memorable night with a first-ever career win against the world's best player even as Andy Roddick sealed his place in the semifinals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open at the Khalifa International Complex on Thursday.

Roddick was at his blazing best with an overpowering 6-3, 6-2 win against Romanian challenger Victor Hanescu in the first quarterfinal, while Monfils made his third meeting against Nadal a memorable one with a 6-4, 6-4 victory against the Spaniard to set a clash against Roddick in today's semifinal.

Monfils came out with a plan and executed it to perfection as he kept on attacking Nadal's backhand all through the one and a half hours on court.

And when Nadal tried to dominate, the Frenchman mixed his game well forcing his opponent to the net with much more success.

Roddick never had any sort of difficulty against Hanescu, ranked 40 places below him as he ran through his opponent from Bucharest in one hour and seven minutes on centre court.

This was the fourth career meeting between Roddick and Hanescu, with the American now leading 4-0.

It was as though Roddick was continuing from where he left off late on Wednesday following his 6-3, 7-5 win against Frenchman Arnaud Clement. "That sounds more dramatic than it really is," Roddick joked.

"Last night's game went pretty quick and today I was decided I want to keep it tight," he added.