In his first meeting against Rafael Nadal, Jan-Lennard Struff had the right game plan — serve and volley and hit every ball as hard as he could. But Nadal weathered Struff’s most aggressive best, and is now two wins away from a record-setting 12th Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell title.

The 32-year-old Spaniard made his 12th Barcelona semi-final on Friday, overcoming the big-hitting Struff 7-5, 7-5 on Pista Rafa Nadal.

Nadal has never lost in a Barcelona semi-final (11-0), but will have a challenge on his hands when he faces fifth seed Dominic Thiem.

The Austrian battled past Argentine Guido Pella 7-5, 6-2.

Nadal and Thiem semi-final clash today at 7.30 pm (IST).