Nadal, Serena, Sharapova move on in Madrid

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AFP Madrid
Last Updated : May 08 2015 | 10:22 AM IST
Rafael Nadal showed no signs of his recent slump in form as he eased past Italy's Simone Bolelli 6-2, 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open on Thursday.
Women's top seed Serena Williams and defending champion Maria Sharapova also stayed on course for a potential meeting in the final as they progressed to the last four with wins over Carla Suarez Navarro and Caroline Wozniacki respectively.
Nadal has yet to win a European clay court tournament this season after defeats to Novak Djokovic at the Monte Carlo Masters and Fabio Fognini at the Barcelona Open last month.
However, he remains the heavy favourite in the Spanish capital in the absence of world number one Djokovic and will continue his quest for a fifth Madrid title against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov on Friday.
Dimitrov disposed of Stan Wawrinka in the last-16 7-5 (7/5), 3-6, 6-3 just as he did at Monte Carlo.
"Dimitrov is a very complete player, he is one of the best in the world," said Nadal.
"He has already won three matches here, so he is at a good level again. He played very well against Wawrinka and (Fabio) Fognini. Hopefully tomorrow I will be ready to compete well against him."
Tomas Berdych continued his impressive start to the clay court season as he also marched into the quarter-finals with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
The Czech faces John Isner in the last eight after the American beat Roger Federer's conquerer Nick Kyrgios 6-3, 6-7 (7/9), 6-4.
Seventh seed David Ferrer won the battle of the Spaniards as he came from a set down to beat Fernando Verdasco 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
- Williams extends unbeaten run -
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Williams extended her unbeaten record this season to 24-0 as she swept aside Spain's Navarro 6-1, 6-3.
The 19-time Grand Slam champion had to save three match points in overcoming two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka on Wednesday, but had no such trouble as she maintained her record of never having dropped a set against Navarro in their six meetings.
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First Published: May 08 2015 | 10:22 AM IST

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