Rafael Nadal vs Dominic Thiem: Nadal storms through in quick-fire thrashing

Nadal shot out of the blocks during the quarter-final clash to take the first set in just 26 minutes.

Thiem did not have one game point as the world No 1 rushed to a 6-0 win.

It was not until the 10th match that the Austrian held serve, but by that point he was already staring defeat in the face, trailing 6-0, 3-0.

Nadal was exemplary in every shot he picked as he proved his previous injury problems are well behind him.

The world No 1 will now face Grigor Dimitrov in the semi-finals.

Sky Sports pundit Henri Leconte thinks Nadal will go all the way to defend his crown.

"It is so hard to be at that level and it is physically he is very impressive," he said.

"There is more pressure on Rafael Nadal than other players but he always plays his best and does not appear to feel the pressure.

"Every day he is completely different to a human being."

RAFAEL NADAL VS DOMINIC THIEM

Rafael Nadal 6-0 6-2 Dominic Thiem* - BREAK

Game, set and match. Nadal breaks for the match and he made that look so easy.

*Rafael Nadal 6-0 5-2 Dominic Thiem

One set now seperates Nadal with a place in the last four.

Rafael Nadal 6-0 4-2 Dominic Thiem*

Thiem holds serve for the second successive game. He is finally showing glimpses of what we all know he can do.

*Rafael Nadal 6-0 4-1 Dominic Thiem

Nadal defended a tricky dropshot and lob to put one foot in the semi-finals.

Rafael Nadal 6-0 3-1 Dominic Thiem*

Finally! A breakthrough for Thiem as he wins his first game of the day. Highly unlikely he will comeback from this but at least he is going down with a fight.

*Rafael Nadal 6-0 3-0 Dominic Thiem

Unstoppable from Nadal once again as he sends the Austrian all over the court. Thiem is shell-shocked.

Rafael Nadal 6-0 2-0 Dominic Thiem* - BREAK

Thiem is really struggling with his first serve. Nadal capitalises on his second to win with a break point to spare.

*Rafael Nadal 6-0 1-0 Dominic Thiem

Nadal continues his fine form by holding serve on the first game of the second set. This could well be over within an hour.

Rafael Nadal 6-0 Dominic Thiem* - BREAK

Outstanding from Nadal as he breaks for the first set. Not many people would have predicted that score as the world No 1 wraps up the set within 26 minutes.

*Rafael Nadal 5-0 Dominic Thiem

This is better from Thiem as he takes it to deuce but he is powerless as Nadal puts himself within touching distance of the set.

Rafael Nadal 4-0 Dominic Thiem* - BREAK

What a game! Thiem saves three break points to take it to deuce. Nadal takes the advantage three times before returning for the game. You'd bet your house on the Spaniard seeing this set out now.

*Rafael Nadal 3-0 Dominic Thiem

Nadal is making Thiem look just like any other ordinary player here.

Rafael Nadal 2-0 Dominic Thiem* - BREAK

Nadal breaks! Thiem saves one break point to take the game to deuce. Nadal then grabs the advatage before finishing off the game.

*Rafael Nadal 1-0 Dominic Thiem

Nadal serves the first game of the match to love. Bright start from the world No 1.

12:22: Players just putting the final touches to their preparations.

12:14: Thiem has won his first batte of the day - the coin toss!

12:13: On a sidenote, I do wonder what Roger Federer is up to right now. I would not be surprised if he has one eye on this match...

12:10: Nadal is met with a rousing reception as he enters the court.

11:59: And there we have it! Dimitrov claims a very good second-set tie-break 7-5 to win the match 6-4 7-6. Nadal and Thiem expected on court any time now.

11:50: Girgor Dimitrov currently leads David Goffin 6-4 6-5. Nadal and Thiem are on court after the conclusion of their match, which could be over within a few minutes.

11:44: Good afternoon from a sunny Monte Carlo where we await Rafael Nadal vs Dominic Thiem in what is set to be a thrilling battle of two clay greats.