Rafael Nadal has kept his Madrid Open title hopes alive by securing a 6-3 6-4 victory over Grigor Dimitrov in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

The former world number one showed early intent by forcing three break-point opportunities instantly, but he failed to take any of them.

The Spaniard was more fortunate the next time around as he went on to snatch a double break, but also lost serve in between.

Both competitors battled to surge ahead, but it was Nadal who broke on his third set point to take the lead in his homeland.

The Spaniard suffered an early wobble in the second set by losing his serve, but he eventually fought back to grab a break of his own.

With the set evenly poised, Nadal managed to strike when it mattered to break serve and wrap up victory.