Defending champion Rafael Nadal apologised to the defeated Nicolas Almagro following his quarter-final triumph at the French Open on Wednesday.
The six-time winner proved too good for his fellow Spaniard as he beat him in three sets at Roland Garros.
"I'm sorry for Nicolas," he told reporters. "He's a great player. He's doing a fantastic season, and I wish him all the best for the rest."
Nadal will now take on another Spaniard, David Ferrer, for a place in Sunday's final.
