Nadal in shock defeat to Monfils

Frenchman Monfils was in scintillating form on Thursday

World number one Rafael Nadal crashed out of the Qatar Open after a straight sets defeat to France's Gael Monfils.

The fifth seed had never won a set in three previous meetings with Nadal, but dominated from the start to cruise home 6-4 6-4 and make the semi-finals.

Andy Roddick easily beat Victor Hanescu 6-3 6-2 and will next play Monfils.

Britain's Andy Murray continues his defence of the title later on Thursday and plays Sergiy Stakhovsky, with Roger Federer playing Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Murray, the number three seed, has looked strong and in good shape this week and is looking to win the title he won in Doha last year.

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A mouth-watering semi-final between him and Federer awaits if they both both win their matches.

In Thursday's opening match, Roddick made light work of overcoming Romania's Hanescu.

After cruising to the first set, the American fourth seed broke immediately in the second and with Hanescu looking increasingly weary, Roddick soon wrapped up the win.

Munfils, meanwhile, did not allow Nadal to settle from the opening point and broke as early as the third game.

The Frenchman grabbed the opening set 6-4 after a titanic 10th game and his power game continued in the next and proved too much for the stunned Spaniard.