Nadal storms into quarters

Spaniard Rafael Nadal slices towards opponent Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker during their Monte Carlo Masters Series in Monaco on Wednesday.Photo: AFP

Rafael Nadal moved closer to perfection for a second day in succession Thursday, with the five-time champion completing another 6-1, 6-0 rout to roar into the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters.
Less than 24 hours after crushing Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker by the identical score, world number three Nadal repeated his clay power-play, with German Michael Berrer the day's victim at the Country Club.
Nadal polished his record at the event which he has owned as champion for the last five years to an overwhelming 29 straight victories as the four-time Roland Garros champion continues a bid for history and a sixth consecutive title.
Berrer, ranked 51st, stood zero chance in the onslaught. The German could do little more than watch as Nadal sent over 28 winners, converted on five of six break point chances and made a mere eight unforced errors in 53 minutes.
The second seed behind Novak Djokovic will play Friday against either French favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, seeded fifth, and Spain's two-time champion here Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Three more Spanish seeds followed Nadal's winning example, with Alberto Montanes' 6-4, 6-4 upset of fourth seed Marin Cilic leading the way on another sunny, chilly afternoon.
Sixth seed Fernando Verdasco played through his continuing back problems to put out Miami finalist Tomas Berdych, the tenth seed, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2.
Number 11 Iberian sparkplug David Ferrer ended the hopes of local resident Ivan Ljubicic, the eighth-seeded Croatian and Indian Wells champion last month, 6-0, 7-6 (7/4).
Nadal, whose only loss in the principality came in 2003 (he did not play in 2004), now stands 31-1 at the event.