Nicolas Almagro

World number one Rafael Nadal will lead Spain's Davis Cup team against the United States for their semi-final in Madrid next week, captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario has confirmed.

Third-seeded Nicolas Almagro was upset by Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in the second round of the BCR Open Romania on Wednesday, losing 6-4, 7-5.

In another upset, Ivan Navarro ousted fourth-seeded Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3 in a first-round match.

In other second-round matches, Florent Serra beat Potito Starace 7-5, 0-6, 6-4, and sixth-seeded Carlos Moya defeated fellow Spaniard Pablo Andujar 6-3, 7-6 (6)

 Qualifier Gilles Muller became the first player from Luxembourg to reach the fourth round of a grand slam when he squeezed past Spanish 18th seed Nicolas Almagro 6-7 3-6 7-6 7-6 7-5 at the U.S. Open on Sunday.

Two days after staging his first comeback from two sets down to knock out Germany's Tommy Haas, the 130th-ranked Muller produced another inspired performance to replicate the feat in just under four hours on a scorching day on Grandstand court.

Richard Gasquet is set up nicely to claim his first title of the year.

The second-seeded Frenchman moved into the quarterfinals of the Mercedes Cup on Wednesday with a 6-7 (7-9), 6-2, 6-2 triumph against Czech qualifier Lukas Rosol.

Gasquet has endured a disappointing season - coming into this event 16-13 - and has not won on tour since hoisting the trophy at Mumbai in September.

Things appear to be falling in his favor here, however.

 British number one Andy Murray said on Saturday he felt the grass at Wimbledon was playing faster than before which should help his chances in the tournament starting on Monday.

Murray, seeded 12 and with the expectations of the home crowd on his shoulders following the retirement of Tim Henman, enjoys quicker surfaces and said the outside courts he had practised on were green and slick.

Q. I think a lot of us have come here today expecting to stay around for a bit more than one hour and 44 minutes with you and Nicolas. Why do you think it was over so quickly?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think before the match, well, going to be very tough match, no, because Nico, he has a very good serve. Well, very good backhand, very good forehand. Only thing is the movement a little bit, no?

 Three-times champion Rafael Nadal celebrated his 22nd birthday with a 6-1 6-1 6-1 demolition of fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro for a place in the semi-finals of the French Open on Tuesday.

The second seed, who extended his unbeaten run at Roland Garros since his debut in 2005 to 26 matches, will face world number three Novak Djokovic for a place in the final.

The pair met at this stage last year, with Nadal coming out on top in straight sets.

Spain's Nicolas Almagro is unlikely to be bearing gifts when he faces three-times champion Rafael Nadal in the French Open quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Nadal, bidding to stretch his perfect streak at Roland Garros to 26 matches, celebrates his 22nd birthday with a place in the semi-finals firmly in his sights.

Almagro has already dispatched Britain's 10th seed Andy Murray and will look to use his huge serve, which has clocked up a tournament-best 78 aces, to find a chink in the Mallorcan's armour.

Q. You've had good results on clay, but never past the second round here at Roland Garros. What's the difference this year?

NICOLAS ALMAGRO: I speak Spanish?

THE MODERATOR: English.

NICOLAS ALMAGRO: I don't speak English. I speak Spanish.

(From Spanish) Well, I think the major difference compared to before is that I am more mature, I'm calmer on the court, and I think this is something you noticed today.

Three-times champion Rafael Nadal pummelled fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco into a 6-1 6-0 6-2 submission to reach the quarter-finals of the French Open on Sunday.

Verdasco was the fourth successive left-hander to take on the Mallorcan second seed but he suffered the same fate as all those who went before him -- a straight-sets drubbing.

Nadal returned everything Verdasco could throw at him, usually with interest, to extend his perfect Roland Garros record to 25-0.