Rafael Nadal Makes Light Work Of Tursunov

Rafael Nadal's fine form on the hard courts continues as he lost just five games in his quarter final clash with Dmitry Tursunov.

The Spaniard is playing at the Japan Open for the very first time but is looking to add yet another ATP title after a season that has brought him three Grand Slams and three Masters titles.

Nadal needed just seventy three minutes to book his spot in the semi-final and he broke Tursunov five time during the match, losing his own serve just once.

It was a competitive first set but Nadal put on the gas in the second as he dominated play and dropped just a single game.

And the player admits that he had a reason for getting through his match so quickly. Speaking to Sky Sports he said: "I want to see Japan and Argentina after I have some dinner and rest.

"I have some friends on the Argentina team. It will be an honour to see them and watch two good teams play.

"I still have lots of work to win this tournament but it would be very positive for me and a big boost for the rest of the season."

He will now face Viktor Troicki in the semi-final as he put out the inform Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in three sets. Garcia-Lopez lifted the Thailand Open title last weekend, seeing off Nadal in the semi-final and had to battle back from a set down.

It was Troicki who made the brighter start as he got the break under his belt before taking the set 6-2. But Garcia-Lopez bit back in the second to level the match at a set a piece.

The third set was the closest of the match but it was Troicki who held his nerve to wrap up a 6-2 3-6 6-4 victory and book his spot in the semi-final.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw