MADRID — Alexander Zverev ended his winless streak on clay against Rafael Nadal on Friday, keeping the Spaniard from winning a sixth Madrid Open.

Zverev defeated Nadal 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals, picking up his third consecutive win over the 20-time grand slam champion — but first on clay. His previous two wins over Nadal were on indoor hard courts.

“Beating Rafa on a clay court is the hardest thing in our sport,” Zverev said. “Not many people have done it. This week so far it’s been incredible for me. It’s an incredible feeling right now.”

The sixth-ranked German broke second-ranked Nadal’s serve twice in the first set, rallying from 4-2 down, and once in the second. He conceded only two break opportunities.