Eds: APNewsNow.

VALENCIA, Spain (AP) Top-seeded Andrew Murray has reached the semifinals of the Valencia Open 500, beating Albert Montanes of Spain 6-4, 6-2.

Also on Friday, fifth-seeded Gilles Simon of France lost 6-4, 6-4 to Mikhail Youzhny of Russia.

Murray broke Montanes in the first game and again in the ninth to help clinch the set before racing to a 4-0 lead in the second and securing a semifinal spot. The Scot is playing in his first tournament after a six-week injury layoff and had not competed since a Davis Cup tie in September.

Murray will next play the winner of the match between Fernando Verdasco and Tommy Robredo.

Youzhny saved 11 break points in reaching his fifth semifinal of the year.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-06-09 1226CST | save this article / add to your favorites list