Rafael Nadal is on course to start 2013 with a trophy after overcoming Ernests Gulbis in straight sets in their Qatar Open quarter-final.

It appeared as though it would be a routine victory for the world number two when he broke serve in the opening game, but Gulbis replied by drawing level immediately.

The first set then went with serve until Nadal broke in the 11th game and the Spaniard went on to hold out for the set, although not until the fourth time of asking as Gulbis showed he was no pushover.

There were early breaks in the second set too, and this time it was the Latvian who grabbed an advantage at 3-0, but Nadal reeled off five games in a row to move within one of victory and a place in the last four.

Gulbis held to love to force the 13-time Grand Slam champion to serve out for the match himself, which Nadal did to secure a 7-5 6-4 win and continue his 100% record over seven matches against his 25-year-old opponent.