07 May,2011 07:32 AM IST | | AFP
Holder Rafael Nadal marched into the semi-finals of the ATP-WTA Madrid Masters on Friday, snuffing out Frenchman Michael Llodra's challenge 6-2, 6-2 in little more than an hour.
Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates his 6-2; 6-2 quarter-final victory
over France's Michael Llodra in the Madrid Masters yesterday. Pic/AFP
The French Open champion, chasing his third title of the spring on clay, will next face either old rival Roger Federer or Robin Soderling for a place in the final. Nadal's victory was his 36th in succession on clay with his last loss coming in the fourth round to Soderling at 2009 Roland Garros.
The top seed has charged through another clay campaign with titles in April at Monte Carlo and Barcelona so far. "Today went very well," said Nadal, winner of a 12th match this season on clay. "I felt pretty good on the court, and we barely had any rallies. Of all the clay events this one is the least similar to Roland Garros. But things are going fantastically well for a few weeks now, and you have to enjoy it."
Nadal was untroubled by Llodra, a classic serve-and-volleyer who was simply out of his depth on clay against the best the game has to offer. The World No 1 did not lose a point on serve till his third game and was never under pressure from Llodra who saved two match points before Nadal secured the victory after 74 minutes.
Tomaz Bellucci became the first Brazilian into the semis of a Masters since three-time Roland Garros champion Gustavo Kuerten in 2003 thanks to a 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 defeat of Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych. Bellucci achieved his second Top 10 win less than 24 hours after beating World No 4 four Andy Murray in the third round.
