'We are all grateful to him': Nadal salutes retiring Ferrer in Barcelona

Rafael Nadal showed no mercy towards an emotional David Ferrer as he eased into the quarter-finals of the Barcelona Open on Thursday, describing his compatriot who is winding down his career as a "pleasure to watch".

Ferrer is set to retire after the Madrid Open next month and made a tearful exit on what was his 15th and final appearance at this tournament.

But there was no room for sentiment for Nadal, who won 6-3 6-3 to take one step closer to a record 12th Barcelona title.

Four of those triumphs came after beating Ferrer in the final and, at the end of this latest victory, Nadal's 37-year-old opponent saluted the crowd before placing his pink headband down on the service line.

"David is not retiring because of his level but it has been a complicated year and a half for him with injuries," Nadal said.

"His level this year has still been very high and for all these years he's been fighting hard and giving us pleasure watching him. We are all grateful to him."
"I'm very happy, it's a dream come true to play one of my last matches on this court."
"I need to step up, play with more energy and a different attitude."