Verdasco, Montanes into Monte Carlo quarterfinals

Fernando Verdasco plays a return to Tomas Berdych during their third round match of the Monte Carlo Masters tournament in Monaco.

Sixth-seeded Fernando Verdasco rallied from a set down to beat Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 in the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters.

Verdasco converted his first match point when the 10th-seeded Berdych ended a brief rally with a sloppy backhand into the net. Verdasco next meets Albert Montanes in an all-Spanish quarterfinal.

Montanes had a far easier third round match, winning 6-4, 6-4 against No. 4 Marin Cilic and dominating the big-serving Croat from the baseline.

Nadal on a roll

Rafael Nadal thrashed Michael Berrer 6-0, 6-1 on Thursday to win his 29th straight match at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Having routed Dutch player Thiemo de Bakker 6-1, 6-0 on Wednesday, Nadal looked to be heading for a perfect score until his German opponent rescued a game when serving at 5-0 down in the second set, prompting huge cheers from the crowd.

Nadal, who has not lost at Monte Carlo since 2003, had no trouble serving out the match.