Nadal digs deep to advance in Madrid Open

Rafael Nadal battled his way past David Goffin in an exhilarating encounter to reach the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open.

The Spaniard blew two match points in the second set before saving four in the third set tie-break to advance  6-3 5-7 7-6(9) in three hours and 10 minutes.  

The victory was the 1,050th win of his career as he moved into a Masters 1000 quarter-final for the 99th time and he said he was lifted by Real's dramatic 3-1 win over Manchester City achieved with the help of two last-gasp goals.

"Yesterday was an unforgettable night. The spirit that Real Madrid had was just incredible. For me today, in some way, it was an inspiration," Nadal said in a post-match interview.

"It was a tough match, David played at a very high level but at the same time I am not completely happy, because I think I had to finish the match in straight sets, without a doubt."

Nadal will face compatriot Carlos Alcaraz who celebrated his 19th birthday in style by beating Britain's Cameron Norrie 6-4 6-7(4) 6-3.

Nadal beat Alcaraz in straight sets in Madrid a year ago and the pair met in March in the Indian Wells semi-finals, where Nadal won in three sets but not before the teenager underlined his huge potential.

Madrid’s Manolo Santana Stadium is sure to be energised on Friday when the two Spaniards duel it out again.