Nadal serves up storm to power to semi-finals

Rafael Nadal continued his seemingly unstoppable march through the French Open draw with a 7-6 (7/4) 6-2 6-3 victory over Nicolas Almagro to reach the semi-finals.

It was at least a test for the six-time champion, who had lost only 19 games in his first five matches and reeled off 17 straight games in beating Juan Monaco in the fourth round.

The first set was very close but Nadal won the first four points of the tie-break, the last of those after a lung-busting 34-shot rally, and from there took control.