Rafael Nadal has suggested that David Ferrer did not deserve to lose their quarter-final encounter at the Madrid Open on Friday.

Nadal lost the first set 4-6 before finding himself 1-4 down in the second against his fellow Spaniard.

However, the two-time champion fought back to seal the win 4-6 7-6(3) 6-0 and book his place in the semi-finals of the tournament.

"It was a very tight match," Nadal told La Sexta. "I think maybe David deserved more than me to be in the semi-finals but that's sport for you.

"I was playing aggressively on my forehand and I am very pleased with how that is going, it's working much better than in the events leading up to Madrid."

Nadal will now face either 14th seed Kei Nishikori or wildcard entry Pablo Andujar in the last four.