Nadal proves a real Master

RAFAEL Nadal has continued on his way through the Shanghai Masters, reaching the quarter-finals with a 6-3, 6-1 thrashing of Italian Fabio Fognini.

The Spaniard needed just 63 minutes to beat Fognini, taking his winning streak to 14 matches since the start of the US Open.

The 31-year-old is closing in on finishing the year as world No.1 for the first time since 2013.

Roger Federer is the only player who can stop Nadal sealing the yearend honour for a fourth time.

RUGBY UNION