TennisTomas Berdych was as giddy as a little boy after overpowering world number four Andy Murray in their Monte Carlo Masters quarter-final yesterday to set up a clash with top seed Novak Djokovic.

The sixth seed made the Briton dizzy as he relied on his powerful forehand to prevail 6-7 6-2 6-3 in the season’s first big claycourt event, where Rafa Nadal is still on track to defend his title after seeing off Stanislas Wawrinka.

Czech Berdych, who already reached the semi-final of the Mediterranean glamour tournament in 2007, will face world number one Djokovic after the Serb thrashed Dutchman Robin Haase 6-4 6-2 in 77 minutes.

“It’s a day to play the number one player in the world, which is always great. It’s a semi-final, which is fantastic,” said Berdych. “But still, I want to play my best tennis and I want to do well.”

Holder Nadal, who is chasing a record eighth consecutive crown in the principality, also booked his place in the semi-final when he defeated Swiss Wawrinka 7-5 6-4. The Spaniard will meet either Gilles Simon and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the last four.