• Madrid Masters

Nadal sees off Isner's spirited challenge

Rafael Nadal is unbeaten on clay this year © Getty Images

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Rafael Nadal continues to look unstoppable on clay after he saw off a spirited display from John Isner in the third round at the Madrid Masters.

The world No. 3 was pushed to his limits in a closely-fought first set, but he found the second far less taxing against a tiring Isner in his 7-5 6-4 victory.

Nadal has now won all 12 matches he has played on the red surface this season, dropping just one set in the process.

With a record like that, it would be a brave man who bets against him becoming the first man to win three consecutive Masters crowns by triumphing here.

Despite Nadal's pre-eminence on clay, it was never likely to be a straightforward assignment against Isner - the American reached his first clay court final at the weekend, losing to Sam Querrey in Belgrade.

After being given several scares by Isner in the first set, it was not until the 11th game of the match that Nadal managed to pick up a game on his opponent's serve. Claiming a break against Isner is usually crucial - at 6ft 9, his service is his main weapon - but it was far from the only string to his bow during the first set.

As well as his usual lusty strikes from the baseline, Isner showed a more nuanced side to his game by throwing in several well-judged dropshots. But, as so often is the case when players come up against Nadal, he found his high level of performance bettered by the Spaniard in the opening set.

Isner's bid for a first win on a clay against a top-ten opponent got off to an unpromising start in the second set, as he lost his serve in the second game. Suffering such an early blow sapped the energy from his legs, and he never looked capable of launching a fightback.

It was no surprise, then, that Nadal did not have to over-exert himself as he closed out the win at a canter. Next up he will face Gael Monfils, who beat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 7-6(5) 6-4.

"It was a very dangerous and difficult match and I played well, and when I had chances with the return I took them," said Nadal. "For me it was a very important victory."

Before defeating Stanislas Wawrinka 6-3 6-1 to set up a quarter-final against Ernests Gulbis, Roger Federer moved to quash speculation that he was planning to retire in two years. "People think I'm going to retire at the 2012 Olympics - which is not true," the 28-year-old told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Even though you never know, it depends on your body, I would like to play beyond that so we'll see how it goes.

"I don't have a problem saying this is the second half of my career because I do have kids and a lot of things have changed around me. It's a lot of fun right now and I obviously want to do this as long as possible."

For the first time this season, Fernando Verdasco has failed to make the quarter-final of a clay court tournament after he lost to Jurgen Melzer. No. 6 seed Verdasco was the overwhelming favourite going into the match, having already beaten the Austrian twice this season. He was overpowered by the big-serving Melzer, however, losing 5-7 3-6 in less than two hours. Melzer will face Nicolas Almagro, who breezed past Juan Monaco 6-4 6-1, in the last eight.

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