It was Nadal's 32nd consecutive victory on clay
Rafael Nadal brushed aside French seventh seed Gael Monfils in a quick 6-2, 6-2 quarter-final victory on Friday which put the five-time champion into his accustomed
weekend place at the Barcelona Open.
The top seed could be the first of four countrymen in a possible all-Spanish semi-final lineup at the Real Club de Tenis.
Locals have dominated for the past decade, with only a 2002 title from Argentine Gaston Gaudio interrupting Iberian success dating to Juan Carlos Ferrero in 2001.
The 31-year-old Ferrero remains in contention at this edition, facing off later against eighth-seeded compatriot Nicolas Almagro.
Nadal took just 75 minutes to post his 32nd consecutive victory on clay; he last lost on the surface against Robin Soderling at the 2009 French Open fourth round.
The Spanish world number one will face a semi-final against either Croatian Ivan Dodig or Spain's Feliciano Lopez.
Nadal has stormed through the field so far this year, losing just ten games in three matches. He owns eight wins from nine meetings with Monfils, the seventh seed who was playing in only his second event since a wrist injury forced him out in February.
Nadal improved to 28-1 in Barcelona as he was untroubled by Monfils on a grey cloudy day after morning rain which produced the heavy clay conditions so favoured by Nadal.
The Spaniard never faced a break point in the one-way contest while breaking Monfils four times.
GMT 15:17 2018 Sunday ,21 January
FedExpress steams on as Sharapova grindsGMT 14:43 2018 Saturday ,20 January
Failed ski resort looms over Pyeongchang Games' legacyGMT 14:37 2018 Saturday ,20 January
Nadal ominous in Melbourne as Dimitrov gets back on trackGMT 11:47 2018 Friday ,19 January
Djokovic survives brutal Melbourne heat testGMT 16:57 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Nadal dominant as Wozniacki pulls off great escapeGMT 15:35 2018 Wednesday ,17 January
De Grandhomme seals Black Caps win over PakistanGMT 13:58 2018 Tuesday ,16 January
Venus leads seeds tumbling out of OpenGMT 13:37 2018 Monday ,15 January
Leinster secure Champions Cup last-eight spotMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor