NALBANDIAN BEATS MURRY

Fourth-seeded Argentine David Nalbandian (pictured) maintained his chances of clinching a spot at Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai by reaching the BNP Paribas Masters semifinals on Friday. The defending champion snapped the 14-match winning streak of fourth seed Andy Murray with a 7-6(3), 6-3 win in one hour and 44 minutes for a place in the semifinals.

The 26-year-old Cordoba resident must clinch his 10th career ATP title to be guaranteed of qualification for the prestigious circuit finale to be held at the Qi Zhong Stadium in Shanghai from November 9-16. With 320 points in the ATP 2008 Race, he stands 36 points behind No. 8-placed Gilles Simon of France who made a third round exit (l. to Roddick) on Thursday.