Monte Carlo  - Stan Wawrinka has a score to settle with Novak Djokovic as the pair stage a re-run of last year's Foro Italico final when they meet in in a semi-final Saturday at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Djokovic, seeded third to the 13th of Wawrinka, beat the Swiss for the Rome title last May. But Wawrinka is riding a wave of clay confidence a day after defeating good friend Roger Federer in the third round.

He followed up that achievement on Friday, putting out German qualifier Andreas Beck 6-2, 6-4.

Djokovic, winner of all three matches against Wawrinka in 2008, booked his last-four spot as he beat Fernando Verdasco, the seventh seed, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

Djokovic needed to play on Thursday night in heavy conditions to conclude a day of rain interruptions. He said that the challenge Friday was much the same.

"The courts were really wet, even today you could feel it. The balls were getting bald and really fast - tough to control. But today was a really good match for me. I hung in there and just waited for my chances."

Djokovic will play in his second consecutive Monte Carlo semi-final after retiring with illness against Federer last year.

Four-time champion Rafael Nadal and Scottish fourth seed Andy Murray were due for two matches on the day after concluding their third-rounders earlier.

Nadal claimed his 24th straight victory at the principality, defeating Nicolas Lapentti 6-3, 6-0. The Spanish top seed was next to face Croatian Ivan Ljubicic, who beat Simone Bolelli 7-5 7-6 (7-2).

Murray has been on a roll this season, leading the ATP with three titles and now in a position to threaten both number 3 Djokovic as well as possibly number 2 Federer.

Murray will go against Russian Nikolay Davydenko, who beat David Nalbandian of Argentina 6-4, 5-7, 6-3. (dpa)