Rafael Nadal slays Stan Wawrinka, sets up Andy Murray match

Rafael Nadal celebrates his 6-1, 6-4 win over Stanislas Wawrinka in their Monte Carlo Masters tournament quarter-final in Monaco on Friday. (Photo: AP)

Andy Murray will face the toughest clay test imaginable at the Monte Carlo Masters as he plays a semi-final with Rafael Nadal after crushing an under-done Milos Raonic 6-2, 6-0 on Friday.

Nadal, winner of eight straight titles here from 2005-2012, holds the edge over the second-seeded Scotsman, defeating Murray in 2009 and 2011 semifinals in the Principality.

The Spanish fifth seed who has spent almost 18 months in making a comeback to form after a mental slump, looked in fighting trim as he beat French Open champion Stan Wawrinka 6-1, 6-4 in their quarter-final. Nadal spent 77 minutes in victory against the tepid Swiss, the 2014 Monte Carlo winner.