World no 1 Rafael Nadal posts 32nd consecutive win on clay with 6-2, 6-2 defeat of Fenchman Gel Mnfils to enter semi-final
World no 1 Rafael Nadal posts 32nd consecutive win on clay with 6-2, 6-2 defeat of Fenchman Gel Mnfils to enter semi-finalRafael Nadal brushed aside French seventh seed Gael Monfils in a quick 6-2, 6-2 quarter-final victory yesterday 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.
Spaniard Rafael Nadal returns to Frenchman Gael Monfils during their
Barcelona Open quarter-final in Spain yesterday. Nadal won 6-2, 6-2.
PIC/AFPLocals 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.
"A 6-2, 6-2 is very positive, it's more than I expected," said the winner. "To win Monte Carlo last week and now to be in the Barcelona semi-finals, it's really positive. "I couldn't have started the clay season any better, but I have to keep on working." Nadal, the Spanish World No 1 will face a semi-final against either Croatian Ivan Dodig or Spain's Feliciano Lopez. The energetic Spaniard has stormed through the field so far this year, losing just ten games in three matches.
