Nadal beats Wawrinka to book place in Madrid semis

The 11-time French Open champion unusually arrived in the Spanish capital still looking for his first title of the year but it is unlikely to remain that way for long if he continues the form he displayed in his victory over the Swiss star.

Wawrinka simply could not cope with the consistent excellent of Nadal, who will face Stefanos Tsitsipas for a place in the final.

Roger Federer was edged out by Dominic Thiem in a thrilling clash in another quarter-final on Friday.

Federer won the first set and held two match points in the second set tie break but Thiem, last year’s French Open finalist, fought back to win 3-6 7-6 (11) 6-4.

In the last four, Thiem will meet Novak Djokovic, who was given a walkover when Marin Cilic withdrew with food poisoning.

Tsitsipas, who was brushed aside by Nadal at the Australian Open, claimed another notable victory by beating defender champion Alexander Zverev 7-5 3-6 6-2.