Nadal crushes Llodra to reach Madrid semi-final

Rafel Nadal celebrates winning against French Michael Llodra after their match of the Madrid Masters on May 06, 2011 at the Caja Magic sports complex in Madrid. PHOTO: AFP

Nadal’s victory was his 36th in succession on clay — his last loss came at Roland Garros to Robin Soderling at 2009 .

Meanwhile, Tomaz Bellucci became the first Brazilian to enter the semi-finals of a Masters 1000 since three-time Roland Garros champion Gustaveo Kuerten in 2003 thanks to a defeat of Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych 7-6 (7/2), 6-3.

On the women’s side, Julia Goerges booked the first of the semi-final spots, defeating Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-2. She next faces Victoria Azarenka, who battled past Czech Lucie Safarova 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2011.