Rafael Nadal eases into Rogers Cup quarter-final with Mikhail Youzhny win

Rafael Nadal has maintained his push for a fourth Rogers Cup title by beating Mikhail Youzhny this morning to reach the quarter-finals.

The Spaniard, whose last triumph came in 2013, beat his Russian counterpart 6-3 6-3 in one hour and 43 minutes to set up a last-eight clash with David Goffin or Kei Nishikori.

Nadal broke Youzhny in the third and ninth games to win a first-set lead and take full control in the best-of-three encounter.

Youzhny's service game was significantly better in the second as the duo sat deadlocked on 3-3 but, after winning his serve, Nadal pulled out the break needed to establish daylight and he would not be caught.

Goffin and Nishikori battle each other later this morning to earn the opportunity to face the 14-time Grand Slam winner.