Djokovic

PARIS (AP):

RAFAEL NADAL moved closer to a third straight French Open title yesterday, beating 1998 champion Carlos Moya 6-4, 6-3, 6-0 in the quarter-finals.

The second-seeded Spaniard, who is 19-0 in his career at the French Open, has not dropped a set in the tournament this year. He will next face Novak Djokovic, who reached his first Grand Slam semi-final by beating Igor Andreev of Russia 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

"I feel good," Nadal said. "I think I am progressing more as the tournament goes on. I feel a little better than last year."

Nadal, who lost to top-ranked Roger Federer on clay in the Hamburg Masters final, thinks he has become a better all-around player over the past year.

"I'm feeling better on court, more comfortable," Nadal said. "I feel I can play a little bit different: more aggressive, defensive some times."

Moya could not find a way to upset Nadal's rhythm.

"He was playing very deep, very high," Moya said. "Even when the ball bounces in the middle of the court, it bounces with so much spin it's difficult to attack him."

Nadal sensed Moya was struggling with his game.

"I played a little bit better and he had some mistakes with the backhand," Nadal said.

Last year at Roland Garros, Djokovic retired while trailing Nadal in the quarter-finals.

"He's the best player in the world on this surface," the sixth-seeded Djokovic said. "He plays with a lot of motivation and confidence. Physically he's very ready."

Djokovic also had an easy time against Andreev.

"I was aggressive from the start and that was the key," Djokovic said. "The result is not showing the right picture about the match - it was not easy to play Andreev. He's the kind of player who makes you work for the points, he produces a lot of spin."

Nadal is 3-1 against Djokovic, but the Serb beat Nadal in the quarter-finals at Key Biscayne, Florida, in March.

"It's not the same match, it's not the same player," Djokovic said. "On clay you have to do moreto try and earn the point against him."

"He's playing very good tennis," Nadal said of Djokovic. "He has unbelievable potential."

Djokovic leapt in the air when he went up 3-0 in the third set. The 125th-ranked Andreev could not find a way back, and Djokovic won on his first match point when Andreev hit a forehand into the net - one of many similar errors he made during the match.

"You keep winning matches, so you think you can do it," said Andreev, who beat third-seeded Andy Roddick in the opening round. "Unfortunately today it didn't happen and I couldn't reach the semi-final. But I don't think it will be my last quarter-final."