Andy Murray is into the semi-finals of the Madrid Open after battling past long-time rival Tomas Berdych on Friday. The British No 1 is the reigning champion of the Spanish event and has moved one step closer to retaining his title after a 6-3 6-2 win in the quarter-finals.The encounter on Madrids clay courts lacked the spikiness of previous meetings between the players, but the Brit would have appreciated a calmer days work. Tomas Berdych has a good record against Andy Murray Murray broke at the third time of asking in the second set before easing into a 4-2 lead, grinding Berdychs challenge to a halt.Murray secured back-to-back breaks with a sensational backhand drop shot that sent Berdych scurrying unsuccessfully across the red clay, before serving out the win. Andy Murray told Sky Sports Mark Petchey how changes to his second serve helped him on the way to a straight-sets win over Tomas Berdych in Madrid The result extends Murrays head-to-head record against Berdych to 8-6, emphasising the difficulties that the Czech player has given him throughout their careers.Berdych had won their previous meeting in Madrid three years ago but rarely looked capable of repeating that trick.Watch the Madrid Open semi-finals on Saturday from 11am, live on Sky Sports 3 HD. Also See: ATP schedule Tennis on Sky Latest scores Get a NOW TV pass Video Jim McMahon Womens Jersey . What general manager Dave Nonis called "short and productive" negotiations ended with Kessel signing a US$64-million, eight-year contract on Tuesday. Mike Singletary Womens Jersey . Pert has formerly spent time as an assistant coach with Cardiff City, Coventry City, and Bahrain mens national team. "Martyn is a highly-respected coach with experience at the top levels in England," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. http://www.bearsfootballpro.com/Authentic_Mitchell-Trubisky_Bears_Jersey/ . The Vikings announced Thursday that Priefer will be one of seven holdovers from the previous staff, along with offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, wide receivers coach George Stewart and others. Norv Turner will mark his 30th year of coaching in the NFL as the offensive co-ordinator, as widely reported for weeks, and George Edwards will be the defensive co-ordinator. David Montgomery Bears Jersey . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. Riley Ridley Youth Jersey . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. RIO DE JANEIRO -- The official broadcaster for the Olympic Games said Monday that equipment held by Brazilian authorities for more than a month, as collateral for any salary claims by workers, is being released.The equipment belonging to the Olympic Broadcasting Services, known as OBS, has been held since the Paralympics ended on Sept. 18. It was impounded to make sure assets were available to pay any compensation for possible damages to workers hired by OBS.In a joint statement, OBS and the Brazilian Public Ministry of Labor said the Olympic body has committed to keep an account open in Brazil as guarantee for any future payment due to the workers.OBS said it will also contribute to the Rio-based NGO RioSolidario, which the statement said focuses on creating employment opportunities and education and professional development for socially exposed groups. OBS did not provide financial details.OBS in the statement said it respects the rights and working condditions of Brazilian workers and denies any illegality or irregularity during its operations of broadcasting the Rio Olympic Games.ddddddddddddCreated by the International Olympic Committee, OBS is a company which produces and transmits live radio and television coverage of every sport from every venue during the Olympics.OBS said more than 7,000 technicians from over 70 different countries worked for OBS during the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games.The Madrid-based Olympic broadcaster launched its new Olympic Channel the day the Games ended on Aug. 21. The $450 million project will offer a mix of live sports, news and archive footage as a way of keeping fans connected in the years between the Olympics.---Stephen Wade on Twitter: http://twitter.com/StephenWadeAP His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/stephen-wade ' ' '