Rafael Nadal aims to secure a semi-final spot in the Monte Carlo Masters when he takes on Ivan Ljubicic today.
Nadal was in ruthlessly efficient form on Thursday as he dismissed home hope Richard Gasquet 6-2, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals. Gasquet came out firing with some attacking tennis but Nadal was more than equal to it, pinning the Frenchman back time and time again with some telling returns.
“I'm very happy how I played today,” said Nadal. “I think I played much better than yesterday, easier. In general, I think [it] was a very positive victory against a very difficult opponent.”
Ljubicic is a resident in Monte Carlo and practises regularly at the country club. As a result the veteran Croatian is feeling extremely comfortable in his surroundings and it has shown with some impressive results this week, ending a streak of four straight defeats on the tour.
On Thursday he outplayed last year's French Open semi-finalist Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-2. Berdych had his serve broken three times and never really got into the match.
Nadal however is huge favourite but he was as respectful as ever when previewing the match. “He's a very experienced player,” he told the press. “He played well against Berdych. [I] saw him play in the locker room. It's going to be a really difficult match tomorrow. I have to play like today if I want to have chances, and that's what I'm going to try."
Nadal leads 5-2 on the head-to-head. Ljubicic actually won their last match, a three setter on the way to the Indian Wells title last spring but he has never come close to Nadal on clay. The Spaniard beat him 6-3, 6-3 in Monte Carlo two years ago and expect a similar scoreline again.
