Nadal closer to 10th Monte-Carlo Masters trophy, Djokovic shocked by Goffin

Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a shot to Diego Schwartzman of Argentina during the Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco on April 21, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

PARIS - Fourth-seeded Rafael Nadal went a step closer to his 10th success at the ATP Monte-Carlo Masters with a 6-4, 6-4 quarter-finals victory over unseeded Argentine Diego Schwartzman, while No 2 seed Novak Djokovic fell 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 to David Goffin on Friday.

Defending champion Nadal was the only top four seed alive in the tournament, as Andy Murray, Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka all crashed out during the past two days.

Schwartzman displayed his fast moves and brilliant forehand attacks, while suffering many errors in long rallies. Two sets went in the same manner, as Nadal took away the next two games following a 4-4 tie for a semi-finals berth.

Goffin recorded the biggest victory in his career as he snapped a 14-match losing streak against Top 3 player on ATP rankings. He broke in the first and fifth games with his solid baseline performance, and sealed the first set at 6-2.

Djokovic made a comeback in the second set, and continued his fine form early in the decider. Leading at 3-2, Djokovic held his nerve to save five break points, before Goffin won the next three games for a 5-4 advantage.

In the 12th game served by Djokovic, Goffin grasped his fifth match point to change his previous 0-5 head-to-head record as the Serbian struck a backhand into the net.

"I started slowly probably because I played two long matches, but physically I feel fine," said second-seeded Djokovic.

"David is a fast player. I had my chances, but I didn't take them," he added.

Earlier on Friday, Spain's No 15 seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas, who upset Murray in Thursday's round of 16, carried on his fantastic journey at Monte-Carlo to overcome fifth-seeded Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-2, clinching his first ATP 1000 Masters semi-finals spot.

Ramos-Vinolas will face home favorite Lucas Pouille, who beat Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay 6-0, 3-6, 7-5, in Saturday's semi-finals.