ESPN Tennis

ST. PETERSBERG, Russia -- Andy Murray advanced to his fifth straight ATP semifinal by beating Janko Tipsarevic 7-6 (5), 7-5 Friday in the St. Petersburg Open.

The players traded breaks early in the first set, and after exchanging breaks early in the second, Murray took a 6-5 lead on the Serb's serve and held on continue the defense of his title.

It was the eighth consecutive victory for the U.S. Open finalist, who improved to 51-14 this season.

In the semifinals, Murray will face third-seeded Fernando Verdasco, who beat German veteran Rainer Schuettler 7-5, 6-2. Murray beat Verdasco in last year's final.

Verdasco broke Schuettler in the 11th game of the first set and then twice in the second to reach his third straight semifinal at the tournament.

"I'm happy the way I played today," Verdasco said.

Also, Victor Hanescu of Romania defeated Russian qualifier Michail Elgin 6-1, 6-4 to qualify for his third semifinal this season. He will take on Andrey Golubev, a qualifier from Kazakhstan, who rallied to beat German qualifier Mischa Zverev 6-7 (3), 6-4, 7-6 (4).

Golubev, ranked 150th, upset two-time champion Marat Safin on the way to his first career ATP semifinal.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press