Nadal uses 'different energy' to power past Ferrer in Barcelona Open

Top seed Rafael Nadal brushed aside the challenge of fellow Spaniard David Ferrer to maintain his bid for an unprecedented 12th Barcelona Open title.

Nadal was uncharacteristically edgy as he battled past Leonardo Mayer in his opening encounter, dropping a set for the first time in this competition since 2015, but was more authoritative against his old friend and rival.

In what could be the final competitive meeting between the pair - with Ferrer set to end his professional career at next month's Madrid Open - Nadal prevailed 6-3 6-3 to move into the quarter-finals.

Nadal said on the ATP Tour website: "Big difference. It was a tough match in all ways yesterday. Today was a different energy, a different motivation.

"In general terms, for me, I needed to play with a different attitude to make a step forward, and that's what I did."

After claiming his 26th win over Ferrer in 32 matches, Nadal said of the former world number three: "He deserves much more. It has been an emotional day. Happy of course for the victory but very sad to say goodbye to one good friend and one friend (with whom) we shared all of these things."