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Soderling faces Roddick in semis after stunning Murray at Indian Wells

Last year's losing finalist Andy Murray suffered a crushing defeat to Robin Soderling in California.
Last year's losing finalist Andy Murray suffered a crushing defeat to Robin Soderling in California.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Robin Soderling stuns world No. 4 Andy Murray to earn semifinal against Andy Roddick
  • Swede reaches last four at Indian Wells Masters for the first time with 6-1 7-6 (7-4) win
  • Roddick into semis for fourth time after defeating Spanish 18th seed Tommy Robredo
  • Defending champion Rafael Nadal plays Croatian Ivan Ljubicic in other semifinal

(CNN) -- World No. 4 Andy Murray has failed in his bid to win his first Indian Wells Masters title after suffering a surprise quarterfinal defeat to Robin Soderling on Friday.

The British tennis star, who lost to Rafael Nadal in last year's final, was beaten 6-1 7-6 (7-4) by the big-serving Swede, who will play American Andy Roddick in the semifinals.

Sixth seed Soderling saved four break-points on his serve in the opening game, but then romped to a 5-0 lead before winning the first set. He squandered three match-points on Murray's serve at 5-3 up in the second before the Scot forced a tie-break, but won that comfortably.

"It feels great, and especially here in Indian Wells, because my record here hasn't been so well," Soderling, who had never before been past the third round in California, told the ATP Tour's Web site. "I thought I couldn't do well here, and now I show I really can.

"I was pretty sure before the match that it is almost impossible to outpower Andy because he's moving really well and he puts everything back.

I was pretty sure before the match that it is almost impossible to outpower Andy
--Robin Soderling
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"I really felt it the first game, which was a crucial hold for me. And then after that, I started to play not as aggressive and I was waiting a little bit for my opportunities, and it worked pretty well."

Murray was disappointed after failing to reach the last four of a field which has already seen top seeds Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic eliminated.

"I think he played very well to start with, and I didn't," Murray told the ATP Tour site. "I didn't move particularly well. I was hitting the ball really short, and he's obviously got a big game and he was able to dictate all of the points.

"So from my side it was poor, but he hit the ball really big from the back of the court and served well when he needed to."

Roddick, another big server, earned a match-up with Soderling -- who has not dropped a set this week and has beaten the U.S. player in their two meetings --after defeating Spanish 18th seed Tommy Robredo 6-3 7-5.

The seventh seed served out to love in the final game of each set to reach the last four of the tournament for the fourth time as he bids for a first final appearance.

"I feel like I'm playing really well on my own serve," the 27-year-old said. "I think I've been broken once, but I don't know that I've had that many break points against me throughout the week.

"That's always a good thing in that holding that easily makes my returns better. I'd like to get to the first final and try to win here once. It's about the only place in the North American swing that I haven't won before, so that would be nice."

The other semifinal sees Nadal take on Croatian 20th seed Ivan Ljubicic as the Spaniard seeks to win his second title at the outdoor hardcourt event, the first of nine elite Masters tournaments this season.