Murray was out after the first round in Rotterdam last year

Andy Murray says he played his best tennis of the week as he progressed to the semi-finals of the World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.

Frenchman Marc Gicquel retired when trailing 7-6 4-6 3-0 to set up Murray with a last-four tie with Mario Ancic.

"It wasn't any one aspect in particular. I was happy with my serve and I played a very good tie-break," Murray told BBC Scotland.

"Hopefully I can keep striking the ball well going into the weekend."

Murray was slightly off colour in his previous match against Andreas Seppi before overcoming the Italian 7-6 (7-4) 7-5.

But after a better showing in a surprisingly tough match against world number 55 Gicquel he said he is enjoying Rotterdam better than he did 12 months ago.

He enjoys the indoor courts, and when he's on top of his game he's a tough guy to beat Andy Murray on Mario Ancic

"Marc played very well, he served very well particularly in the first set and made it very difficult for me," said Murray.

"It was a shame he had to stop. I would have preferred to have won outright, but obviously I was glad to come through it.

"And I was playing very well, so I'm not disappointed with that. After having lost in the first round last season it's a good improvement.

"Hopefully I can go a little bit further, but it's been a good start to the indoor season."

On Saturday, Ancic stands between Murray and his second final of the year following victory in the Qatar Open in January.

MY SPORT: DEBATE How will Murray fare against Ancic in Rotterdam?

The Croat, ranked 28 in the world, has had the upper hand in three of the four meetings between the pair.

But Murray came out on top to take the Marseille Open last year against the 24-year-old, with whom he occasionally practices.

"He's played well in the last couple of weeks and made the final in Zagreb," said Murray.

"He enjoys the indoor courts, and when he's on top of his game he's a tough guy to beat.

"He has a big serve, comes to the net a lot and works hard, so I'm going to have to play very well.

"But we both have good indoor records, so it should be a very good match.

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