Barcelona Open: Rafael Nadal reaches quarter-finals in Spain

Rafael Nadal

World number one Rafael Nadal booked his place in the quarter-finals of the Barcelona Open with a 6-3 6-3 win over Croatian Ivan Dodig.

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 41-match winning streak in Barcelona, and his only defeat came on his tournament debut in 2003 when he was beaten by compatriot Alex Corretja.