World number two Rafael Nadal flexed his muscles to beat James Blake 3-6 6-3 6-1 and reach the semi-finals of the Miami Masters.

Nadal defeated his American rival for the first time in his career at the Indian Wells Masters quarter-finals two weeks ago and replicated the feat on Wednesday.

Blake made far too many mistakes during the one hour 55 minute contest, producing 31 unforced errors compared with just 13 for Nadal.

The American also offered Nadal 19 opportunities to break his serve -- with the triple French Open champion breaking four times in total.

Nadal turned the match in his favour when he broke Blake with a with a sizzling backhand passing shot to go 5-3 up in the second set.

He greeted the break with his trademark fist pump and from then on Blake's challenge faded away.

Nadal will play either world number 10 Tomas Berdych or Russia's Igor Andreev in the semis.

Reuters