Defending champion Rafael Nadal remained on course for the Rome Masters final after coming through a tough quarter-final against fellow Spaniard David Ferrer on Friday. Nadal prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 in a 2hr 46min thriller in which Ferrer's challenge only petered out in the deciding set. Nadal will now meet Tomas Berdych in Saturday's semi-final.