Rafael Nadal gave a much-improved performance to advance into the quarter-finals of the Barcelona Open, dispatching Spanish compatriot and crowd favourite David Ferrer 6-3 6-3.

Nadal will meet Jan-Lennard Struff in the last eight after the German claimed his second big scalp of the week by overcoming last year's finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 3-6 6-2 after knocking out 10th seed David Goffin the day before.

Japan's Kei Nishikori eased into the last eight with a 6-1 6-3 victory over Felix Auger Aliassime and will play the only other remaining Spaniard in the tournament Roberto Carballes Baena who saw off Chilean Christian Garin in straight sets.

World number two and 11-times Barcelona champion Nadal had produced a scrappy display against Leonardo Mayer on Wednesday, losing a set for the first time in four years at the tournament, but he showed more spark and composure against Ferrer.

Nadal broke the 37-year-old Ferrer, who will retire from the game next month after the Madrid Open, in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead in the opener but play was halted due to rain with the score at 5-3.

Nadal promptly saw out the set when play resumed and broke Ferrer in the first game of the second but then lost a service game, which made it 2-2.

The Mallorcan broke again and then took a 5-3 lead, spurning three match points due to two marginal calls which left him visibly annoyed with the line judge.

Nadal finally closed the match out at the fourth opportunity as Ferrer could only find the net.

TRIBUTES FOR FERRER

Nadal led fans in applauding Ferrer as the defeat signalled his last appearance at the Barcelona Open.

"Losing to Rafa makes me proud, I'm happy with the game as I did what I could, I gave everything I had but I tip my hat to Rafa," Ferrer said.

"It was difficult, I started well but the court was slower when the rain started coming down, that damaged me but I still played a competitive game."

Nadal paid tribute to Ferrer, who he beat in the 2013 French Open final, and was pleased with his own display.

"It's his decision but on a tennis level he doesn't have to retire, he's struggled with injuries but he is playing very well this year. After all his years fighting and giving us all joy he deserves the reception he got," Nadal said.

"I had to improve on yesterday, not just the result but overall. This was important for David but for me it was important to do better and play with more energy than yesterday I did that so I can go back to my hotel feeling much happier."

Chilean Nicolas Jarry, who beat highly-fancied world number three Alexander Zverev already this week, claimed another high-profile victory by beating Grigor Dimitrov 2-6 6-4 7-6(2).

Jarry will face Daniil Medvedev of Russia while third seed Dominic Thiem will play against Argentine Guido Pella after the Austrian enjoyed a comfortable straight-sets win over Spaniard Jaume Munar.

Rafael Nadal gave a much-improved performance to advance into the quarter-finals of the Barcelona Open, dispatching Spanish compatriot and crowd favourite David Ferrer 6-3 6-3.

Rafael Nadal gave a much-improved performance to advance into the quarter-finals of the Barcelona Open, dispatching Spanish compatriot and crowd favourite David Ferrer 6-3 6-3. Nadal will meet Jan-Lennard Struff in the last eight after the German claimed his second big scalp of the week by overcoming last year's finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 3-6 6-2 after knocking out 10th seed David Goffin the day before. Japan's Kei Nishikori eased into the last eight with a 6-1 6-3 victory over Felix Auger Aliassime and will play the only other remaining Spaniard in the tournament Roberto Carballes Baena who saw off Chilean Christian Garin in straight sets. World number two and 11-times Barcelona champion Nadal had produced a scrappy display against Leonardo Mayer on Wednesday, losing a set for the first time in four years at the tournament, but he showed more spark and composure against Ferrer. Nadal broke the 37-year-old Ferrer, who will retire from the game next month after the Madrid Open, in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead in the opener but play was halted due to rain with the score at 5-3. Nadal promptly saw out the set when play resumed and broke Ferrer in the first game of the second but then lost a service game, which made it 2-2. The Mallorcan broke again and then took a 5-3 lead, spurning three match points due to two marginal calls which left him visibly annoyed with the line judge. Nadal finally closed the match out at the fourth opportunity as Ferrer could only find the net. TRIBUTES FOR FERRER Nadal led fans in applauding Ferrer as the defeat signalled his last appearance at the Barcelona Open. "Losing to Rafa makes me proud, I'm happy with the game as I did what I could, I gave everything I had but I tip my hat to Rafa," Ferrer said. "It was difficult, I started well but the court was slower when the rain started coming down, that damaged me but I still played a competitive game." Nadal paid tribute to Ferrer, who he beat in the 2013 French Open final, and was pleased with his own display. "It's his decision but on a tennis level he doesn't have to retire, he's struggled with injuries but he is playing very well this year. After all his years fighting and giving us all joy he deserves the reception he got," Nadal said. "I had to improve on yesterday, not just the result but overall. This was important for David but for me it was important to do better and play with more energy than yesterday I did that so I can go back to my hotel feeling much happier." Chilean Nicolas Jarry, who beat highly-fancied world number three Alexander Zverev already this week, claimed another high-profile victory by beating Grigor Dimitrov 2-6 6-4 7-6(2). Jarry will face Daniil Medvedev of Russia while third seed Dominic Thiem will play against Argentine Guido Pella after the Austrian enjoyed a comfortable straight-sets win over Spaniard Jaume Munar.

Rafael Nadal shines in comfortable victory over David Ferrer in Barcelona

Spain capped their return to the Davis Cup world group by completing a 5-0 whitewash against India. 
 
Marc Lopez and David Ferrer maintained Spain&#39;s dominance in the world group play-off ties in New Delhi on Sunday. 
 
&quot;That was the main plan, to get into the world group. Very happy to finally get there. From now on we can dream bigger,&quot; a delighted Spain captain Conchita Martinez said after the win. 
 
In the final day&#39;s dead rubbers, Ferrer outclassed India&#39;s Ramkumar Ramanathan in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s different. But, it was nice to play here Davis Cup in India. It&#39;s my second time in India. I never played Davis Cup, enjoyed a lot this week. And the crowd, the people, they have a lot of respect for us. And I appreciate it,&quot; said David Ferrer. 
 
&quot;I think I played the right way. What I had to do about, I was missing here and there, and I was not making the points at the right moment. When it was deuce I was making seconds. When it was 15-all, I was missing the returns. So, I mean few points here and there I could have taken more, I thought for sure. But I think Ferrer showed me the way to improve and it was a good experience for me,&quot; said Ramanathan. 
 
Earlier in the day, Marc Lopez defeated Sumit Nagal 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in the reverse singles rubber.&nbsp; 
 
World number four Rafael Nadal was rested for the two dead rubbers on the final day. His doubles win with Marc Lopez on Saturday ensured Spain&#39;s re-entry into the elite group after a gap of two years. 
 
The duo won a tough battle against India&#39;s Leander Paes and Saketh Myneni 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 6-4. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

13th-ranked David Ferrer and Marc Lopez won their respective singles matches ensuring Spain's re-entry to the elite group

Spain capped their return to the Davis Cup world group by completing a 5-0 whitewash against India. Marc Lopez and David Ferrer maintained Spain's dominance in the world group play-off ties in New Delhi on Sunday. "That was the main plan, to get into the world group. Very happy to finally get there. From now on we can dream bigger," a delighted Spain captain Conchita Martinez said after the win. In the final day's dead rubbers, Ferrer outclassed India's Ramkumar Ramanathan in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. "It's different. But, it was nice to play here Davis Cup in India. It's my second time in India. I never played Davis Cup, enjoyed a lot this week. And the crowd, the people, they have a lot of respect for us. And I appreciate it," said David Ferrer. "I think I played the right way. What I had to do about, I was missing here and there, and I was not making the points at the right moment. When it was deuce I was making seconds. When it was 15-all, I was missing the returns. So, I mean few points here and there I could have taken more, I thought for sure. But I think Ferrer showed me the way to improve and it was a good experience for me," said Ramanathan. Earlier in the day, Marc Lopez defeated Sumit Nagal 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in the reverse singles rubber. World number four Rafael Nadal was rested for the two dead rubbers on the final day. His doubles win with Marc Lopez on Saturday ensured Spain's re-entry into the elite group after a gap of two years. The duo won a tough battle against India's Leander Paes and Saketh Myneni 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 6-4. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Davis Cup: Spain whitewash India 5-0 in world group play-offs

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Rafael Nadal shines in comfortable victory over David Ferrer in Barcelona

Davis Cup: Spain whitewash India 5-0 in world group play-offs