Nadal downs Tomic to set up Monfils clash

Top seed Rafael Nadal and Gael Monfils both struggled on their least-favourite surface Friday before setting up a semi-final at the first edition of the Stuttgart Open to be played on grass. Nadal needed almost two and a half hours to defeat fifth seed Bernard Tomic 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, defeating the Australian for the third time as they played on grass for the first time. Nadal scrapped to victory but only after saving two break points in the seventh game of the third set and coming through on