Nadal shows races into semifinals

There was no room for sentiment for Rafa Nadal on Wednesday as he bulldozed his way into the French Open semi-finals with a 7-6 6-2 6-3 win over his friend Nicolas Almagro.

Both players had entered the contest with a perfect 12-0 sets record at this year's Roland Garros and, after two hours and 46 minutes, it was the six-times champion who stood with his arms aloft after firing an ace on match point.

For Almagro, it was yet another defeat to his Spanish Davis Cup team mate and his win-loss record now stands at 0-8.

Nadal will next face either another Spaniard, David Ferrer, or British fourth seed Andy Murray as he pursues a record seventh title at the claycourt slam.