MADRID — Rafael Nadal reached the Madrid Open quarterfinals by easing past Simone Bolelli of Italy 6-2, 6-2 on Thursday.
Nadal, a four-time champion, broke Bolelli four times and saved two break points.
Serving for the match, Nadal hit some typically agile shots; earning match point by racing forward to reach a drop shot, then hurrying back to hit a heavy top-spun lob over Bolelli to within inches of the corner of the court.
Nadal, yet to win on the European clay-court swing, said it was an important tournament for him.
Winning gave him an "opportunity to play another match here, and for me it's always a very wonderful sensation.