World number one Rafael Nadal cruised into the quarterfinals of the Barcelona Open with a straight-sets victory over Colombia's Santiago Giraldo.

In a demonstration of the gulf in class, Nadal overcame Giraldo and won 6-3 6-1.

The 24-year-old Spaniard will now face World number nine Gael Monfils who progressed against fellow-Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-4 7-6.

Nadal is unbeaten on clay since 2009 and Giraldo got a firsthand experience of why the record remains so.

Afterwards, Nadal said, Beating Giraldo 6-3 6-1 is good news because he can hit winners from anywhere on the court.

It's going to be a very tough match. Monfils is one of those players who can attack as well as defend and you never know how he is going to come out and play. He'll probably have to come out and attack but I'll try to dominate the points with my drives.

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