Monte Carlo Masters

Ferrero came back from a set down for the second straight match

Juan Carlos Ferrero came back from a set and a break down to reach the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters and stay on course for a repeat of last year's final against Carlos Moya.

But Rafael Nadal, the 16-year-old who ousted French Open champion Albert Costa on Wednesday, could not repeat his heroics and was beaten 7-6 6-2 by Guillermo Coria.

Defending champion Ferrero trailed Gaston Gaudio 3-6 4-5 when the match turned in his favour.

Serving for the match, Gaudio double-faulted and soon succumbed to the pressure, losing 3-6 7-5 6-2.

"Every time I play against Gaston, it is tough. It was the case again this time," said Ferrero, who had lost four times against the Argentine in six previous encounters.

Ferrero now faces Spanish compatriot Alberto Martin, who beat another Spaniard Fernando Vicente 6-4 7-6.

Moya booked his quarter-final berth in vastly different fashion to Ferrero.

The second seed, who has yet to lose a set in the tournament, cruised past Tommy Rodredo 6-2 6-4.

"There are other players who are playing well. All I can say is that I'm playing some of the best tennis in my life," Moya said.

"I think I'm probably a better player now than I was when I won the French Open."

He will play Julien Boutter for a place in the last four.

Boutter, who won his first ATP title last week, won his eighth straight match with a 7-6 6-4 victory over ninth seed Sjeng Schalken.

Filippo Volandri continued his remarkable run with victory over former world number one Magnus Norman.

The 21-year-old Italian qualifier came through 7-5 6-3 against the former world number two, who had beaten 10th seed Gustavo Kuerten 24 hours earlier.

Volandri is ranked 131 in the world and had never won a match in the main draw of an ATP tournament before this week.

"It's the most beautiful victory in my career," he said. "I want to thank my friends and my family for supporting me here."

He has now beaten Radek Stepanek, sixth seed David Nalbandian and Norman in the space of three days.

Volandri will now face Vince Spadea, who had a dramatic 1-6 6-1 7-6 (10-8) victory over Ivan Ljubicic.