Rafael Nadal’s 30-match winning streak ended yesterday when the world no.1 was upset 7-6 6-4 by fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in the Monte Carlo Masters quarter-finals.

Sixth seed Ferrer, who had beaten Nadal on clay only once 10 years ago and was brushed aside by the muscular left-hander in the French Open final last year, relied on his devastating forehand to prevail in over two hours.

Nadal, who made an uncharacteristic string of unforced errors, was looking to recapture his Monte Carlo crown after Serb Novak Djokovic had ended his eight-year reign in last year’s final – his last defeat on the slow surface.

Ferrer will next face world number three and Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka, who dismissed Canadian eighth seed Milos Raonic 7-6 6-2.

“I have had to wait 10 years to beat him on clay.

“It was a long wait but I am pleased with the win and the way I played,” Ferrer said.

Former world number one Roger Federer, seeded fourth, got off to a sluggish start but saw off local favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 2-6 7-6(6) 6-1 to set up a meeting with second seed Djokovic who came from a set down to beat unheralded Spaniard Guillermo Garcia Lopez 4-6 6-3 6-1.

Swiss Federer made a series of backhand errors as Tsonga pinned him behind the baseline with his flat forehand, but regained composure in the tiebreak of the second set.

Tsonga’s limited fitness was then exposed as he lost five games in a row and Federer finally converted a break point at the 16th attempt as he marched towards the last four.

Earlier, Swiss Wawrinka got off to a slow start against Raonic, needing a tiebreak to pocket the first set.

He was then unstoppable, outpacing the Canadian who showed his limits at the highest level.