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Rafael Nadal brilliantly glided past the challenge of Dominic Thiem at the Monte Carlo Masters on Friday.
The world No 1 won 6-0 6-2 in their quarter-final – he won the first nine games to threaten his first-ever ATP Tour whitewash.
He later described the win as “one of the best matches I have played on clay”.
Nadal needs to win the Monte Carlo Masters for an 11th time in order to fend off Roger Federer at the pinnacle of the world rankings.
His excellence on clay surfaces was demonstrated against Thiem, the seventh seed who eliminated Novak Djokovic on Thursday. Thiem was forced to wait 51 minutes in the afternoon heat before getting on the scoreboard.
The Spanish veteran is challenging for a record 31st Masters title, 24 of which have been on clay. Winning in straight sets on Friday means Nadal has won 32 consecutive sets on clay – a run that dates back to a defeat by Thiem at the 2017 Rome Masters.
Grigor Dimitrov will play Nadal in the semi-finals after a 6-4 7-6 win against David Goffin.