Rafael Nadal extended his winning streak on clay to 69 after beating Thomas Johansson in straight sets 6-1, 6-4 at the Barcelona Open.

Such was Nadal’s dominance that he lost only five points on his own serve. In quarterfinal, Nadal will face the challenge from Potito Starace, after the latter defeated clay court specialist Juan Ignacio Chela in straight sets 6-4 7-6.

The way Nadal is playing at the moment, he undoubtedly is the firm favorite to clinch the Barcelona Open. With Roger Federer also not playing in the tournament, the only man who can challenge Nadal, is the fourth seed David Nalbandian.

On the day of upsets, third seed Tommy Robredo lost 6-4 2-6 6-3 to Argentina’s Agustin Calleri. But there was no such problem for fifth seed David Ferrer who defeated Serbian qualifier Boris Pashanski 6-2 7-5. Ferrer will now play David Nalbandian in the next round after he beat former French Open champion Carlos Moya 6-4 6-3.

BBC