David Ferrer will play Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters after securing a 6-2 6-7(3) 6-1 victory over Gilles Simon.

Ferrer took control of proceedings in the early stages by grabbing a break of serve at the first time of asking on the clay surface.

Simon created just one break-point opportunity in the first set, but he squandered it as Ferrer broke again to seal the lead in Monaco.

The second set was a closer contest and Simon battled to save five break points in his opening service game, and he eventually broke the deadlock to go a break up in the seventh game.

Simon served for the match, but Ferrer fought back to make it 5-5 and swung the momentum back in his direction by holding serve in the next game.

A tie-break was eventually needed to decide the encounter, and Simon managed to storm through 7-3, but the third and deciding set did not go in his favour.

Ferrer bounced back by breaking his opponent's serve three times to wrap up the contest.