Spanish ace continues run

General / Editor / 27 April 2007 / Leave a Comment

has made 69 games without defeat on clay following a straight sets victory over Thomas Johansson in Barcelona.

The French Open champion cruised into the last eight of the Seat Open with a 6-1 6-4 success over his Swedish opponent.

The top seed lost just five points on his own serve in front of his home crowd, to keep him on course for another ATP title.
Nadal has attempted to play down his outstanding run on clay, as he continues his preparations for next month's French Open.
He admitted: "I have said many times that I will lose some time. I don't know if it will be here, or Rome, or Hamburg or Roland Garros, but I don't put a date on it.

"I think the record will be around for a long time, so there is no more pressure."
The Spaniard will now play Italy's Potito Starace in the quarter final, after he caused an upset against eighth seed Juan Ignacio Chela, beating the Argentinian 6-4 7-6.

Once again, Nadal is a strong favourite at 1.02 on Betfair to progress with Starace available at 48.
The left-hander is also heading the winner's market for the Barcelona event, with Nadal trading at 1.18. Guillermo Canas, who defeated Pablo Andujar in the third round, is next best at 15.5.