UPDATE 1-Tennis-Murray beats Verdasco to reach Valencia final

* Murray downs Verdasco to set up final against Youzhny

* Russian upsets second-seeded compatriot Davydenko

(updates after second semi-final, adds Murray quotes)

VALENCIA, Spain, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Top seed Andy Murray battled past Fernando Verdasco in the semi-finals of the Valencia Open on Saturday, beating the fourth-seeded Spaniard 6-3 2-6 6-3 to set up a final against Mikhail Youzhny.

World number four Murray, who before this week had not played on the ATP tour since September's U.S. Open due to a wrist injury, cruised through the first set but lost his way in the second as Verdasco unleashed some powerful winners.

The Scot rallied to grab a crucial break of serve in the sixth game of the deciding set and converted his first match point when Verdasco miscued a shot that flew wide.

"It was very difficult in the first set but I managed to stay strong," Murray said in a television interview.

"I started to feel more comfortable as the game went on and was reading his game a bit better."

The 22-year-old will be bidding for a sixth title of the year against Russian Youzhny in Sunday's final after second seed Nikolay Davydenko squandered a one-set lead to lose 3-6 6-4 6-3 to his unseeded compatriot.