ANDY MURRAY moved into the semi-finals of the Australian Open and then watched as his expected lastfour opponent Rafael Nadal crashed out.

Murray beat Alexandr Dolgopolov in four sets but Nadal could not follow suit as, severley hampered by a hamstring injury, the world number one lost to David Ferrer to end his hopes of completing the ‘‘Rafa Slam’’.

Murray was the last man to beat Nadal in a major after the world number one retired with a knee problem when two sets down in their quarter- final clash in Melbourne 12 months ago to the day.

But the Spaniard, who subsequently won at the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open, won’t get the chance to avenge that loss as he went out 6-4 6-2 6-3.

Murray fulfilled his part of the bargain by disposing of the dangerous Dolgopolov.

Dolgopolov’s willingness to vary the pace makes him different from the majority of the players on the ATP Tour and he certainly caused the world number five problems before Murray came through 7-5 6-3 6-7 (3/7) 6-3 in three hours and six minutes.

“He’s just unorthodox, very different to how most guys play,” said Murray.

“It’s tough to get into a rhythm but he’s also a very good player, definitely not someone to be underestimated.

I’m sure he’ll give a lot of players problems in the future.

“So he was very good but I played well.’’ Dolgopolov, the world number 46 who beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Robin Soderling in his previous two matches, had numerous opportunities to take a grip on the match but too often let Murray off the hook with moments of carelessness, a trait he will have to eradicate is he is to make the most of his undoubted potential.

Murray lost to Roger Federer in last year’s final but feels his game is in better shape 12 months on although he admits the improvements may not be easily apparent.

“I think I’m hitting the ball bigger than I was last year,” he said. “I think a lot of the things can be quite subtle differences.

I don’t think there’s any major change.

“I don’t see many major changes in any of the guys at the top of the game.

“But you just try to become more consistent, have less weaknesses.”