Rafael Nadal defeated Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 6-3 Thursday to reach the Barcelona Open quarterfinals, posting his 100th win on clay in his last 101 matches.

The three-time French Open champion’s only loss during that stretch—dating back to 2005—came against Roger Federer in Hamburg Masters final last year.

“That’s not bad,” Nadal said.

Taking control from the start, Nadal forced Lopez to save three break chances in the third game to hold his serve. Nadal, the three-time defending champion, broke in the fifth game when the 35th-ranked Lopez hit long.


Nadal’s backhand was sharp throughout the match, and another break in the second set was enough to set up a quarterfinal match against Juan Ignacio Chela, who defeated Ernests Gulbis 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Nadal, who had bandages across his left shoulder and under both knees, had been critical of the scheduling of clay-court tournaments.

(via sports.yahoo.com)

Nadal advances with another win on clay in Barcelona