BARCELONA, April 28: Rafael Nadal was tested for the first time this week as he beat Italian Potito Starace 6-2, 7-5 on Friday to reach the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open and extend his winning streak to 70 matches.

Guillermo Canas received a walkover into the semi-finals when Nikolay Davydenko, withdrew before their match because of a right wrist injury.

Friday’s results (quarter-finals): 15-Agustin Calleri (Argentina) beat Oscar Hernandez (Spain) 6-0, 6-3; 12-Guillermo Canas (Argentina) beat 2-Nikolay Davydenko (Russia) – walkover; 1-Rafael Nadal (Spain) beat Potito Starace (Italy) 6-2, 7-5; 5-David Ferrer (Spain) beat 4-David Nalbandian (Argentina) 7-6 (7-5), 6-2.—Reuters