UPDATE 1-Tennis-Murray mauls Montanes to reach Valencia semis

* World number four Murray continues injury comeback

* Tour Finals hopefuls Davydenko, Verdasco progress

* Youzhny also through with victory over Simon

(adds Murray quotes, results)

VALENCIA, Spain, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Top seed Andy Murray gave Spaniard Albert Montanes a 6-4 6-2 mauling in the quarter-finals of the Valencia Open on Friday as the Briton continued his comeback from a wrist injury.

The world number four, who before this week had not played on the ATP tour since September's U.S. Open, dropped a set against little-known Argentine Leonardo Mayer in Thursday's second-round but looked back on top form against Montanes, ranked 34.

He broke serve four times on the way to winning the first set and opening a 4-0 lead in the second and wrapped up the match with a forehand winner.

"My wrist is still giving me some pain but I am feeling better every day," Murray said at a news conference at the Spanish hardcourt event. "I played well today and tomorrow I hope to improve even more."

The Scot will play Fernando Verdasco in Saturday's semi-finals after the Spanish fourth seed nailed a slew of crashing winners to brush aside compatriot and seventh seed Tommy Robredo 6-3 6-2.