Nicolas Almagro beat number two seed Juan Monaco 6-3 6-2 in the quarter-finals of ATP Valencia to continue his good form at the tournament.

Fifth-seeded Spaniard Almagro, who has won the last two claycourt tournaments in Valencia, has won 17 of 18 matches on clay this year.

He will next face Evgeny Korolev, who beat Robin Haase 7-5 6-4.

Eighth seed Potito Starace, who lost in last year's final, had to retire with a hip injury during his last-eight clash with three seed Tommy Robredo when he was trailing 6-3 3-0.

Robredo's Spanish compatriot and top seed David Ferrer lies in wait after his 6-3 1-6 7-5 win over another Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, who won in Valencia in 2004.

Eurosport