Nadal beats Dimitrov to reach quarter-finals in Monte-Carlo

Nadal improved to 12-1 overall against the unseeded Bulgarian.

France: Defending champion Rafael Nadal eased into the Monte Carlo Masters quarter-finals on Thursday after beating Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-1 - the same scoreline as last year's semi-final meeting between the two.

Nadal improved to 12-1 overall against the unseeded Bulgarian, who made two big unforced errors on his forehand from 30-all in the tenth to hand his opponent a break and the first set.

Serving for a place in the last eight, Nadal clinched victory on his second match point when Dimitrov patted a forehand into the net.

The second-seeded Spaniard will next play Guido Pella, having won both previous matches against the unseeded Argentine.

With top seed Novak Djokovic also winning his third round match on Thursday, the Serb remains on course to meeting Nadal in the final.