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London - Andy Roddick was on course for a record fifth title at Queen's Club after he defeated seventh-seeded Fernando Verdasco 6-2, 6-2 to reach the semifinals on Friday.
Defending champion Sam Querrey was upset by James Ward of Britain 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, and second-seeded Andy Murray received a walkover into the semifinals when eighth-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia withdrew with an ankle injury.
Roddick stamped his authority on his quarterfinal quickly, breaking to lead 2-1 and earning a further break in the fifth game with a forehand pass.
The American continued to dominate the Spaniard in the second set, breaking again for 2-1 and holding for 3-1 before rain interrupted play.
When play continued after a break of an hour, 45 minutes, Roddick immediately broke again by forcing Verdasco to net a backhand volley.
Roddick failed to take advantage of two match points on Verdasco's serve but ended the contest in the next game with a second-serve ace on his fourth match point.
"My first rain delay of the year is out of the way," said Roddick.
Querrey's defeat came after his third-round match was suspended overnight at one-set all. When play resumed, the 216th-ranked Ward earned the only break of the third set to lead 4-3, and fought off a break point as he served out the match.
"It's been unbelievable, last two matches obviously," said Ward, who earlier defeated fourth-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka. "Best two wins of my career so far."
Later Friday, top-seeded Rafael Nadal faced fifth-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Ward played Adrian Mannarino.
