Nadal eases into Monte Carlo Masters semis

Roquebrune-Cap-Martin (France), April 20 (IANS): Spain's Rafael Nadal on Friday advanced to the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters after he dominated Austria's Dominic Thiem in a 6-0, 6-2 victory. It took just an hour and eight minutes for the world No.1 Spaniard to win and now he is two victories away from a record 31st ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title and an 11th title in Monte Carlo, reports Efe. "It was a perfect match. The ball speed suited me. I felt comfortable on the court," the 31-year-old said. "Dominic is one of the best players. I am very satisfied." In the upcoming round, Nadal is set to take on Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov, who defeated Belgium's David Goffin 6-4, 7-6(5) in the quarter-finals. It took the world No. 5 one hour and 46 minutes to prevail over world No. 10 Goffin for the seventh time out in eight career encounters.