Rafael Nadal takes down Kei Nishikori to remain on Barcelona Open title course

The 11-time Barcelona Open champion Rafael Nadal ousted a former winner Kei Nishikori 6-0, 2-6, 6-2 in two hours and 19 minutes for his 14th quarter-final at the home event.

Nadal didn't play that well despite a solid win, saving 11 out of 13 break chances and stealing Nishikori's serve five times to move over the top. The Spaniard had 21 winners and 17 unforced errors, controlling the pace in sets one and three and staying on the title course.

Rafa served at 52% in the opening set, but that didn't cause him troubles like against Ivashka yesterday, defending both break points in one troubled service game and dominating the return to secure a bagel. Rafa closed the opening game with an unreturned serve and returned from 40-15 down in game two to deliver a break and settle into a nice rhythm.

The Spaniard saved two break points in game three and grabbed another break with a deep return a few minutes later, moving 4-0 up and holding with a powerful serve that pushed him closer to the opener.

Serving at 0-5, Nishikori experienced another break, failing to win a point behind the second serve and having to raise his level in set number two if he wanted to fight for the victory. Raising his level, Kei saved a break point early in the second set and took charge, breaking Rafa twice for a commanding 6-2. Nadal saved a break point in the first game with a backhand crosscourt winner, not hitting too many of those in the rest of the set and getting broken for the first time at 1-1.

Kei wasted two break points in game five, but that didn't cost him much, securing a break at 4-2 and clinching the set with a forehand winner in game eight that sent them into a decider. The Spaniard had to dig deep early on in his service games, saving multiple break chances and securing a crucial break in game four that sent him ahead. Returning at 5-2, Nadal placed a forehand down the line winner that earned another break for him and propelled him into the last eight, where he faces Cameron Norrie.