(CNN) -- Rafael Nadal is known as the undisputed king of clay with seven French Open titles to his name -- but the Spaniard was given an almighty scare in the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters Friday.

Nadal, who has won the past eight editions of the tournament, was made to fight all the way by Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov before eventually prevailing 6-2 2-6 6-4.

It was the first time the 26-year-old had dropped a set at the tournament since 2009 as he racked up a 45th consecutive match victory in the French principality.

That record had looked in doubt until his opponent began to suffer with cramp in his leg, allowing Nadal to emerge victorious.

But despite working his way back to fitness following a seven month absence with a knee injury, Nadal admits he still lacks match sharpness.

"I didn't play tennis for seven months," he told reporters. "I'm losing little bit intensity of the match for moments.

"That's normal after being a lot of time outside of the competition. I played for a month, then I stopped for another month. I need time to play with top rhythm for the whole match.

"I was playing great at the first set, playing my best level. So that's the most important thing."

Nadal was spotted playing with taping on his back, but he refused to elaborate on the problem when asked.

He added: "I'm happy to be in the semifinals, I played the best with what I had. It's normal have problems on the back, on the shoulder, on the elbow."

1. who is the story about?
2. what else is he called?
3. of what?
4. is he a potter?
5. what is his profession?
6. what is his nationality?
7. his age?
8. was he victorious in many important games?
9. in which competition?
10. did he win more or less than 9 times?
11. how many exactly?
12. was he hurt?
13. what was hurt?
14. did that prevent him from competing?
15. for how long?
16. how many times did he win in a row in Monte Carlo?
17. was he scared there?
18. on what day?
19. in what competition?
20. in which round?

Provide a numbered list of answers.
1. Rafael Nadal
2. the undisputed king
3. clay
4. No
5. tennis player
6. Spanish
7. 26
8. Yes
9. The French Open
10. less
11. seven
12. Yes
13. his knee
14. Yes
15. seven months
16. 45
17. Yes
18. Friday
19. the Monte Carlo Masters
20. the quarterfinals