Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro scored a dramatic 6-4 3-6 7-6 victory over Rafael Nadal to reach the semi-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open.

Big-serving Del Potro, who came back from 3-0 down in the third set, will face Andy Murray for a place in the final after the Briton crushed Fernando Verdasco 6-1 6-2.

The tall Argentine takes his place in the last four of a Masters event for the first time with the crowd-pleasing victory. It was also his first win over Nadal at the fifth attempt.

"Maybe it was wonderful for the crowd but it was terrible for me," said Nadal.

Having served out to win the opening set, Del Potro broke early in the second but then the 20-year-old from Tandil faced the inevitable fightback from the Spaniard.

Nadal looked on course for victory when he broke twice early in the third to go 3-0 up but Del Potro found the strength to mount a revival of his own.

Luck seemed to be with Nadal when at 2-2 in the tie-break his shot hit the net and dropped down for a point, but again Del Potro found another burst of determination and took the next five points to win.

Semi-final result: Djokovic vs Federer 3-6 6-2 6-3.