Rafael Nadal Races Into Last Eight With Straight-Sets Win

Rafael Nadal remains on course for an incredible ninth Monte Carlo Masters title after booking his place in the quarter-finals with a 6-2 6-4 victory over Philipp Kohlschriber on Thursday morning.

The Spaniard has now won 44 successive matches in the principality and will next play Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov for a place in the last four.

The undisputed 'King of Clay' needed just 80 minutes to record a ninth victory in 10 meetings with fellow left-hander Kohlschreiber, who won their previous clash on the Halle grass last year.

Nadal broke twice during a one-sided opening set and once more in the second, not allowing his German opponent a single break point throughout the match.

Highly-rated Bulgarian Dimitrov awaits the eight-time champion in the quarter-finals after recording an impressive 6-2 6-4 win over Florian Mayer.

There was a surprise in Monte Carlo earlier in the day, though, as fourth seed Tomas Berdych was sent packing by Fabio Fognini.

Czech Berdych crashed 6-4 6-2 to the Italian clay-court specialist, who is now enjoying a career-best run at the event.

There were no such problems for French favourite Jo-Wilfired Tsonga, who made light work of Jurgen Melzer 6-3 6-0 to reach the last eight.

Source: Legit.ng