ANDY Murray scrapped his way through to the French Open semi-finals for the first time yesterday and then declared: "I can beat Rafael Nadal."

The world number four will take on the five-time Roland Garros champion tomorrow after coming through a topsyturvy clash with Juan Ignacio Chela 7-6 (7/2) 7-5 6-2.

Murray has now made the semi-finals of three clay-court events this year after losing close matches to Nadal in Monte Carlo and Novak Djokovic in Rome, and he believes he can make it thirdtime lucky to reach his first final on the surface.

He said: "In the build-up to the French I was playing very well and now I’m going to have to get that level out on Friday and sustain it for a long period to beat Rafa.

"But I feel I can do it. I have to play a very consistent match and I have to be mentally strong. Tactically I’m going to have to be very good.

So I can definitely win. I just need to play my best.’’ After losing the first five games to Viktor Troicki in his fourth-round match, Murray again started badly yesterday, although this time his injured right ankle was not to blame.

The Scot trailed 4-1 with a double break for Chela, but saved three set points to force a tie-break.

After winning that comfortably and taking a 5-2 lead in the second set it looked like Murray had turned the corner, but Chela fought back to level, only for the Scot to break again, and this time he made no mistake.

The third set was more routine as Murray at last took full control against a man he has now beaten at the French Open three years in succession.

Nadal found his A game just when he needed it to beat Robin Soderling, but he remained cautious about his chances of winning the tournament for a sixth time.

The Spaniard knew a repeat of the struggles he has experienced this fortnight against the only man to have beaten him at Roland Garros would put his hopes of further progress in serious doubt.

But Nadal’s incredible record on the Paris clay indicated he would lift his level and that is exactly what happened, with the world number one winning 6-4 6-1 7-6 (7/3) to set up the meeting with Murray on his 26th birthday.

Nadal said: "Today I played better, much better but I don’t know if I can win the tournament.

Today I was ready to beat the number five in the world and two-time finalist here. We will see what’s going on in the next round."