Nadal is the reigning French Open champion

It was the Spaniard's 40th consecutive victory on clay and earned him a last four meeting with Gaston Gaudio, who beat 15th seed Tommy Robredo 6-1 6-3.

Top seed Roger Federer made the semis in Monte Carlo for the first time by beating Spain's David Ferrer 6-1 6-3.

He will face Fernando Gonzalez after the Chilean beat Ivan Ljubicic 7-5 6-1.

Federer has a 5-0 record against Gonzalez, and has beaten him three times on clay - at Monte Carlo and in the French Open last year, and at Hamburg in 2004.

The Swiss world number one, who is building up his claycourt game ahead of next month's French Open, the only Grand Slam to so far elude him, said he was "very pleased" with his display.

My backhand was not 100% today, but it was good Rafael Nadal

"I played excellent again today," he said.

"I knew on clay it was going to be more difficult. I always know that I can play with anybody, on any surface," said Federer.

Nadal is also happy with the way his game is shaping up.

"I'm very happy with how I played," said the Spaniard.

"I got some confidence back. My backhand was not 100% today, but it was good."

Nadal lost the opening two games of his match with Coria but then reeled off the next 11 against the beleagured Argentine, who once again struggled with his serve.

Having served an ATP record of 23 double faults in the previous round, Coria threw in another eight against Nadal to take his tally to 51 in his last three matches.