Rafael Nadal has set up a quarter-final against Stanislas Wawrinka at the Monte Carlo Masters by defeating Dominic Thiem in straight sets.

Clay king Nadal, who won the tournament eight years in a row between 2005 and 2012 but has not triumphed since, started slowly today and was the first to be broken in the third game.

Nadal broke back to level the first set at 3-3 and then had to endure a 16-minute hold of serve to move 5-4 in front before snatching the opener 7-5.

The first set took over one hour and 20 minutes to complete, but the second was simpler for the Spaniard as he came through 6-3.

Up next for Nadal is defending champion Wawrinka, who saw off Gilles Simon in straight sets earlier today.