Rafael Nadal will go head to head with Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters after overcoming fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 6-4 5-7 6-2 in the final eight.
Nadal, who has struggled with injury woes over the past year, struck the first blow by going a break up in the third game of the opening set.
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Ferrer showed his intent by converting a second break point in the seventh game, but Nadal responded instantly with a break of his own.
The 14-time Grand Slam champion, who is dubbed the 'king of clay', managed to grab a one-set lead and he looked comfortable at the start of the second set as he swiftly raced to a 3-0 lead.
However, Ferrer began to battle back by sealing a crucial break point and putting pressure on his compatriot, who struggled to create a break opportunity from that point on.
Ferrer administered a blow to Nadal's campaign by breaking his serve to draw games at 5-5 and then went on to wrap up the set and force a decider.
Despite battling back, Ferrer lost his opening serve of the third set and he failed to recover as Nadal secured a second break in the seventh game before successfully serving for the match.
Danielle Joynson
