Nadal, Federer out

France's Gilles Simon knocked world number one Rafael Nadal out of the Madrid Masters yesterday after a thrilling 3-6 7-5 7-6 tussle to set up a final clash against Andy Murray.

The Briton outgunned Roger Federer 3-6 6-3 7-5 earlier yesterday to avenge his defeat at the US Open.

Simon took almost three and a half hours, saving 17 break points along the way, to record his first victory in three meetings against the Spaniard.

Although Nadal won the first set comfortably, the French world number 16 refused to get overawed by the Mallorcan's brutish groundstrokes. The two slugged it out in one high-class rally after another and the Frenchman eventually prevailed to level the contest.

Nadal broke in the final set but Simon immediately broke back and stole the Spaniard's serve again to serve for the match. Incredibly Nadal hit back to win that game.

But the French Open and Wimbledon champion was outfoxed in the deciding tiebreak. Simon clinched a place in the final on his second match point after Nadal's forehand was confirmed long by Hawkeye.