Rafael Nadal keeps on playing great tennis on clay to defeat his nemesis Fabio Fognini in the Barcelona quarters. The Spaniard had the tricky task to face the Italian who has defeated him 3 times in 2015. This year in Barcelona things were a bit easier for Rafa who grabbed a fast 4-0 lead in the opener to win the first set 6-2; complications came in the second set when Rafa lost 4 consecutive games after leading 2-0 (2-4). Finally, the Spaniard regrouped to win the match 6-2 7-6 (1).

How Rafa capitalized on Fognini’s mistakes

Rafa explains his tactics against the Italian “He can hit a lot of winners,” Nadal commented. “But he takes a lot of risks too. If I’m able to hit the ball well and to play a lot of points in a row the right way, he will hit winners but at the same time, he will have mistakes.”

Watch as Rafa #Nadal seals a comfy victory over #Montanes with a big forehand and is saluted by the Barcelona crowd! https://t.co/z2PEF3WwSQ

— TennisTV (@TennisTV) April 21, 2016

The semi vs. Kohlschreiber

Rafa will play Philipp Kohlschreiber in the semi; the head to head is 11-1 for Rafa that is the hot favorite to reach the final.

THE DRAW