Andy Murray has said that he was pleased with his performance during the Japan Open quarter-final win against David Nalbandian.

The Scot in straight sets to set up a semi-final encounter with Spain's David Ferrer.

"I played well," said the 24-year-old. "I served very well for the most part. He is one of the best returners in the game, so I didn't give him too many opportunities.

"At the end he started to come at me a little bit and I made a few mistakes and I got a little bit tentative.

"I served for the match a couple of times and let it slip, but I broke back immediately. So I was pleased with that."

The world number four was also wary of the threat from Ferrer and admitted that he will need to fight to make it through to the final.

"Ferrer is a very tough opponent," he added. "He has been in the top 10 for a very long time and is playing some of the best tennis of his career. I had a great match with him in Australia, rallies are always long and I'll have to be ready to fight."

The other semi-final sees Rafael Nadal take on Mardy Fish.