Rafael Nadal of Spain looks the ball against Carlos Berlocq, from Argentina, during the Barcelona open tennis in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 24, 2013. Nadal won 6-4, 6-2. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) (The Associated Press)
BARCELONA, Spain – Seven-time winner Rafael Nadal advanced to the quarterfinals of the Barcelona Open by beating Benoit Paire of France 7-6 (2), 6-2 Friday.
Paire broke Nadal's first service game, but when the fifth-ranked Spaniard found his rhythm he had little trouble.
Nadal extended his winning streak on the Real Club de Tenis' red clay to 36 straight matches, with his last loss dating back 10 years.
The match was originally scheduled for Thursday but was postponed due to rain. If the weather holds up, Nadal will play either Kei Nishikori or Albert Ramos later Friday in the quarterfinals.
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