Rafael Nadal reaches quarter-finals in Spain

Nadal, who has won the tournament eight times, sealed victory over the world number 37 in one hour and 23 minutes.The 27-year-old will now meet fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro on Friday after he overcame compatriot Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-3.Nadal met Almagro in last year's final, which he won in straight sets.Should he come through his last-eight contest, Nadal will face the winner of the quarter-final between German Philipp Kohlschreiber and Colombian Santiago Giraldo.Nadal has lost just two sets during his 42-match winning streak in Barcelona, and his only defeat came on his tournament debut in 2003 when he was beaten by compatriot Alex Corretja.(BBC)ANN.Az