Tennis: Rafael Nadal powers past Monfils in Barcelona

Rafael Nadal cruised into the Barcelona Open semi-finals by dispatching Gael Monfils 6-2, 6-2, and David Ferrer moved a step closer to another clay-court final against his fellow Spaniard.

The top-ranked Nadal needed only 75 minutes to get past the ninth-ranked Frenchman, who was broken four times.

"The truth is it was a pretty complete game," said Nadal. "I'm very happy since this is a match-up between two of the best players in the world, and to win 6-2, 6-2 makes me very happy."

Nadal converted his first break point in the third game and extended his lead to 4-1 when Monfils netted a backhand to be broken again, and Nadal held serve to take the first set.

The second set was a near replica of the first as Nadal broke Monfils in the third and fifth games again. Nadal will play Ivan Dodig in the semi-finals after the Croatian outlasted Spanish player, Feliciano Lopez, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

Ferrer moved a step closer to his fourth title match of the year by dismissing Jurgen Melzer 6-3, 6-3. Melzer slammed his racket into the red dirt after netting to set up set point for Ferrer, who converted it when the Austrian sent a shot long. Melzer's frustration carried over into the second set as he slapped a backhand wide to be broken in the first game and, although he broke back immediately, Ferrer, who needed treatment on his left calf during the match, reached his fifth semi-final of the season after breaking for 4-3 and holding his serve to close out the match.

Nicolas Almagro, who will reach a career-high tenth when the rankings are released on Monday - beat Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3, 6-3 to set up the all-Spanish semi-final with Ferrer.