Top-seeded Novak Djokovic advanced to the semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championship yesterday with a straight sets win over Marin Cilic, but the tournament lost second seed and favourite Andy Murray to a virus infection.

Third-seeded Gilles Simon of France defeated compatriot Fabrice Santoro 7-6 (3), 6-1, and will next face Djokovic, who defeated Cilic 6-3, 6-4 in 1 hour 37 minutes.

Murray, ranked No. 4, was scheduled to play the final match of the day on Center Court against France's Richard Gasquet, who will now play fourth-seeded David Ferrer of Spain in the semis.

Ferrer, who beat Igor Andreev of Russia 7-5, 6-1, denied that Murray's withdrawal meant he would now have an easier semi-final.

"No, no. Murray going out doesn't make it any easier for me because Gasquet is a very good player," Ferrer said. "The last time I played against him, it was very tough."