Rafael Nadal had few problems swatting Pablo Cuevas aside as he moved into the last four of the bet-at-home Open in Hamburg.
Nadal, targeting a record 47th clay-court title, broke Cuevas' serve five times and won 70 percent of his own service points to clinch a 6-3 6-2 triumph after an hour and 12 minutes.
The Spaniard, currently ranked 10th in the world after a difficult year, is competing in Hamburg for the first time since 2008, when he beat Roger Federer in the final, and he is closing in on victory again.
Andreas Seppi will be Nadal's semi-final opponent after the Italian was given a walkover into the final four when Simone Bolelli withdrew due to gastroenteritis
British number two Aljaz Bedene saw his run in the competition come to an end as Fabio Fognini overcame him 6-4 7-5, despite the Italian having problems with his serve.
Fognini failed to hit a single ace in the match and double-faulted five times, but was able to save two out of the three break points he faced and that was the difference.
Qualifier Lucas Pouille will meet Fognini in the last four after he enjoyed a shock win over French compatriot Benoit Paire.
Paire, fresh from lifting his first ATP Tour title at Bastad on Sunday, saw a seven-game winning streak broken as he was comfortably beaten 6-3 6-2 by Pouille - who sits 43 places below him at 85th in the rankings.
Source: PA
