Rafael Nadal overcame stiff resistance from Bernard Tomic to reach the semi-finals of the Mercedes Cup with a 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3 victory on Friday.
The top seed will next play the No4, Gaël Monfils of France, who beat Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. The tournament is a grass-court tune-up for Wimbledon and Nadal said he was pleased with his game.
After needing two hours 40 minutes to beat Marcos Baghdatis on Thursday, Nadal was stretched again, staying on court for two hours 20 minutes.
But Nadal said he played “better than yesterday” against an Australian opponent who is very comfortable on the fast surface.