INDIAN WELLS (California), March 17: Britain's No 1 Andy Murray had to overcome a nasty fall to post one of the more remarkable comebacks of his career on Friday. The 19-year-old Scot defeated Germany's Tommy Haas 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (10-8) in the quarter-finals of the ATP/WTA Pacific Life Open.

Murray moves to the semi-finals of the hardcourt tournament in the California desert where he will play Serbia's Novak Djokovic, who beat David Ferrer of Spain 6-3, 6-4.

It also was a gritty performance in front of an announced crowd of 15,418 by Murray. He had not only had to recover from a first set loss, but also a nasty fall early in the second set which resulted in one of several visits by the trainer for treatment.On the women's side of the draw former champ Daniela Hantuchova set up a final showdown with second seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, while China's Li Na suffered a semi-final defeat.

Hantuchova, who won here in 2002, and former US Open champ Kuznetsova meet in Saturday's final.

Murray won first career title in San Jose last year and then defended it earlier this year.

Hantuchova, the lone former women's champion remaining, defeated Li 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 in the semis.

This marks the first final of the year for Hantuchova who made a name for herself by capturing the 2002 Indian Wells title.

Kuznetsova defeated Sybille Bammer 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-1 in a two hour, 39 minute marathon semi-final on Friday.

On Wednesday, top seed and defending champion Maria Sharapova and third seed and former champion Martina Hingis were eliminated.

The draw was already missing big names Serena Williams, Amelie Mauresmo and Justine Henin, who decided to skip this event.

Friday’s results (prefix number denotes seeding):

Men’s singles:

Quarter-finals: 13-Andy Murray (Britain) beat 9-Tommy Haas (Germany) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (10-8); 12-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) beat 14-David Ferrer (Spain) 6-3, 6-4.

Women’s singles:

Semi-finals: 2-Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) beat 33-Sybille Bammer (Austria) 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-1; 14-Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia) beat 12-Li Na (China) 7-5, 4-6, 6-1.—Agencies