Rafael Nadal stormed past a determined Nicolas Almagro in straight sets to reach the semi-final of the French Open.
The second seeded Nadal, bidding to win back the trophy he held for four years before stumbling last year against Soderling,

was forced to go toe-to-toe with his fellow Spaniard for two hours and 35 minutes before winning It wa a straight sets victory, but Nadal was severely tested throughout.
Nadal lost the opening three games against Almagro who used his heavy backhand to great effect but he recovered and managed to raise his game at the crucial moments of each set.
Almagro threw everything at the former world number one but Nadal refused to give in and withstood the Almagro barrage

 to get another step closer to regaining his French Open crown as the King of the Terre Battue.

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