Wawrinka reach semis

MONTE CARLO, Monaco, Apr 18 (AFP): Australian Open winner Stanislas Wawrinka reached the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters Friday with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 victory over Canadian Milos Raonic.
Wawrinka, who had a walkover in the previous round when Spain's Nicolas Almagro pulled out with a foot injury, will wait for a weekend opponent as eight-time champion Rafael Nadal faces compatriot and good friend David Ferrer, seeded sixth.
Wawrinka, who has dragged himself out of a short slump he suffered after beating Nadal for the grand slam title in Melbourne three months ago, took control as eighth seed Raonic twice lost leads in the opening set tie-breaker.