RAFAEL NADAL KING OF TENNIS

2019 Monte Carlo Masters QF Rafael Nadal bt. Guido Pella  7-6(1) 6-3

Next opponent - Fabio Fognini or Borna Coric

"It was a very tough first set physically and mentally, too. Losing the first three games with my serve was tough. But I found a way at the right time," Nadal said.   "I was lucky at 4-1, he had two points to be 5-1 and with 5-1 it's almost impossible. I was lucky to escape that moment and then I played better... I'm very happy to be through. Being in the semi-finals again here means a lot to me."

"He's playing a great season and winning a lot of matches on clay, playing one final, winning in Sao Paulo, playing the semi-finals in Buenos Aires," Nadal said of Pella. "[It's a] lot of matches in a row for him and he has plenty of confidence."

Photos: Getty Images; AFP; EPA; REUTERS; AP; Nice Matin

• Hot shots

• Highlights

• Post-match interview

• Interview for Tennis Channel

• Press conference