Rafa Nadal sets up Novak Djokovic semi in Madrid, overtakes Roger Federer

Updated 12/05/2017 at 18:12 GMT

Rafa Nadal beat David Goffin 7-6(3) 6-2 to reach the semi-finals of the Madrid Open, where he will face Novak Djokovic, the beneficiary of a walkover when Kei Nishikori pulled out due to injury.

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after beating David Goffin

Image credit: Getty Images

Nadal, who has won the tournament five times before, had to battle through a tie-break to take the first set but made light work of the Belgian in the second.

The win means Nadal, world number five, overtakes Roger Federer, world number four, in the Race to London standings.

"It was a beautiful game, we both played at the very highest level and there were great points for everyone to see," Nadal told Spanish Television.

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"He (Goffin) demands the most of you, he's one of the best in the world, one of the candidates to win the most important trophies.

"I knew I was playing well in the first set but I just couldn't take my chances. Winning is very important but also the way I'm playing at the moment makes me very relaxed."

He will now face world number two Djokovic for the 50th time.

Djokovic made the last four after Nishikori withdrew from their match with a wrist injury.

The Japanese player has been struggling with the problem in recent weeks and it also caused him to withdraw from the Barcelona Open.

Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay will face Borna Coric or Dominic Thiem in the other men’s semi-final.