Rafael Nadal beat 2015 Roland Garros champion and 2014 Monte-Carlo winner Stan Wawrinka 6-1 6-4 to set up a blockbuster semifinal against Andy Murray at the famous Monte-Carlo Country Club.
Nadal, who was playing his 12th consecutive Monte-Carlo quarter final, earned two break points with a forehand return down the line. He broke serve in the fourth game to 30 for 3-1 with a crosscourt forehand. Wawrinka saved two break points but dropped his serve on the third opportunity. Nadal got a second consecutive break in the sixth game to 15 for 5-1 as Wawrinka hit his forehand into the net. Nadal clinched the opening set in the next game in just 27 minutes.
Nadal broke serve in the fifth game of the second set for 3-2. Wawrinka broke straight back to love in the next game to draw level to 3-3 as Nadal made a double fault and hit a backhand wide. The Swiss player saved two break points in the seventh game with a forehand volloey to hold for 4-3 . Nadal got another break in the ninth game for 5-4 on his third opportunity as Wawrinka hit an inside-out forehand wide.
Nadal served out on his third match point in the next game. Nadal won 73 percent of his service points as he claimed his 56th win in Monte-Carlo.
Nadal converted four of his nine break point chances to extend his win-loss record against Wawrinka to 15-3. He defeated Wawrinka for the sixth time in seven clay head-to-head matches. The Spanish “King of Clay” is looking to win his first title in 2016.
Nadal leads 16-6 in his past 22 head-to-head matches but Murray beat his Spanish rival in last year’s Madrid final. Nadal and Murray will meet for the third time in the semifinals at the Monte-Carlo Country Club. Nadal won their previous clashes played in this tournament in 2009 and 2011. Nadal is bidding to win his ninth Monte-Carlo title after claiming eight consecutive titles from 2005 to 2012 before losing in the 2013 final against Novak Djokovic.
