Second-seeded Rafael Nadal continued his quest to become the first player to win three consecutive Monte Carlo titles since Ilie Nastase 1971-93 on Friday.
The two-time defending champion from Mallorca defeated German qualifier Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-2, 6-3 for a place in the semifinals. Nadal has previously beaten Kohlschreiber in the 2007 Australian Open first round.
Nadal has dropped just 11 games in three matches en route to the semifinals, which extends his Monte-Carlo record to 17-1.
The 20-year-old improves to 20-5 for the year and extended his Open Era record-winning clay streak to 65 matches.
The ATP World No. 2 broke a 12-tournament title drought by capturing the Indian Wells Masters Series title last month. It was his first title since Roland Garros in May 2006.
Kohlschreiber was appearing in an ATP Masters Series quarterfinal for the first time in his career. The 23-year-old has also reached quarterfinals at Auckland (l. to Robredo) and Rotterdam (l. to Davydenko) this year.
Nadal will next meet Tomas Berdych (pictured), who won 12 games in a row against Robin Soderling of Sweden to complete a remarkable comeback in the first match of the day.
Tenth-seeded Berdych fought back from a one set and 3-0 deficit to beat his fellow Monaco resident 5-7, 6-3, 6-0 in two hours and three minutes. The 21-year-old Czech advances to his third career ATP Masters Series semifinal.
Soderling, making his fourth straight appearance at the Monte Carlo Country Club, now has a 17-6 match record in 2007. The 22-year-old has also reached quarterfinals at Doha (l. to Ljubicic), Marseille (l. to Simon) and Dubai (l. to Youzhny) in the first three months of the year.
World No. 14 Berdych improves to 12-7 for the year and will next meet either two-time defending champion Rafael Nadal or qualifier Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Berdych clinched his maiden ATP Masters Series shield at Paris in 2005 (d. Ljubicic). His last ATP final came in Mumbai in September 2006 (l. to Tursunov).
MONTE CARLO RE-CAP
Day 6: Federer Records 500th Career Win
Day 5: Federer, Nadal Fire into Quarterfinals
Day 4: Nadal Sends Warning to Rivals
Day 4: Djokovic Keeps Alive Winning Streak
Day 3: Federer, Gasquet Claim Tough Opening Wins
Day 2: Mirnyi Charges to Victory over Baghdatis
Day 1: Safin Sinks Nieminen in First Round
