Rafael Nadal reaches quarterfinal of Monte Carlo Masters with 300th career win on clay

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The eight-time winner here became just the 11th man to crack 300 wins on the dirt: the last to do so was Spaniard Carlos Moya in 2007.

Nadal began his formidable run on the surface with his first clay win in 2002 and has not looked back since. At the top of the all-time table in the victory category is Argentine Guillernmo Vilas, who ended his career standing 644-183 on the surface.

Spaniard Nadal had a few spots of bother against Italy’s Seppi, with the world number one forced to save five break points in the sixth game of the opening set for a 5-1 lead.

In the second set, Nadal dropped serve to love while leading 4-2. But he got it straight back for 5-3 and finished off the victory in 93 minutes.

Second seed and holder Novak Djokovic, who beat Nadal for the 2013 title, was facing Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta while fourth seed Roger Federer was to play Czech Lukas Rosol.

Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka earned a free trip into the last eight when Spain’s Nicolas Almagro retired before their third-round match with a foot injury.

Australian Open winner Wawrinka, seeded third, will Friday face off against Canadian eighth seed Milos Raonic, who beat 11th-seeded Spaniard Tommy Robredo 6-4, 6-3.