Facing a rival who had beaten him the last time they had met, dropped his first set of the tournament against Ferrer.
While Nadal improved his mindboggling French Open win-loss record to 64-1, Murray was relieved to silence the pantomime boos that greeted his arrival on Philippe Chatrier Court.
As dusk fell over Paris, his 6-4 6-1 4-6 1-6 6-0 win over Gael Monfils earned him a place in his second semi-final in Paris.
