Second seed Rafael Nadal swept aside former Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals without dropping a set.

Spain's Nadal, 32, beat Czech Berdych 6-0 6-1 7-6 (7-4) in Melbourne.

Berdych, unseeded but climbing back up the rankings after injury, had been expected to provide a sterner test.

But Nadal's relentless brilliance did not allow Berdych, who made too many unforced errors, to make it a contest until the third set.

"He made more mistakes than usual. The third set was a real set after the first two," said Nadal.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion looks in great shape as he aims to become the first man to win each of the four Grand Slams twice in the Open era.

His only previous triumph at Melbourne Park came in 2009.

Berdych caused an upset at this tournament three years ago when he beat Nadal in straight sets, ending a run of 17 consecutive defeats against him.

But a repeat performance never looked on the cards as Nadal claimed victory in just over two hours.

The former world number one will play 21-year-old American Frances Tiafoe, who beat Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov, in the last eight.

Ruthless Nadal makes rapid start
Nadal came into the tournament having not played since the US Open following a catalogue of injuries, but has looked sharp - mentally and physically - in swatting off Australian trio James Duckworth, Matt Ebden and Alex de Minaur, plus now Berdych, to reach the last eight.

After Nadal ruthlessly snatched away a break point in the first game of the match with a stinging first serve, a disjointed Berdych had no more opportunities as the Spaniard took control.

A double fault brought up two break points for Nadal and, although he saved the first with a big forehand, Berdych lumped a backhand into the net on the second.

That set the tone for the first set, Berdych going on to commit nine more unforced errors compared to just three from Nadal.

The Spaniard grew more aggressive, winning 71% of second-serve points and cracking nine winners.

One of those included the forehand down the line which broke Berdych's serve for the third time - to love on this occasion - and gave him the first set after just 27 minutes.