World No. 3 Rafael Nadal thwarted a determined challenge on Thursday from fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta to reach the quarterfinals of the ATP & WTA Rio Open.
Top seed Nadal, determined to kick-start his season on clay as he targets a 10th French Open crown at Roland Garros, won 7-5, 6-3 against 55th-ranked Carreno to advance to a meeting with Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas, ranked 23.
Cuevas saw off Spaniard Albert Montanes 6-2, 6-2.
Argentine Federico Delbonis saw off eighth seed Martin Klizan in straight sets to book a contest with Italian Fabio Fognini, seeded four, after the latter eased past Spaniard Pablo Andujar 6-3, 6-2.
Brazilian fans cheered a success in the women's event when Beatriz Haddad Maia ousted Slovenian seventh seed Polona Hercog 6-1, 6-2 to reach the quarters.
Top seeded Sara Errani of Italy also reached the quarters, beating Spaniard Lourdes Dominguez 6-0, 7-5.
The results:ATP & WTA Rio Open: Second round: Men: Rafael Nadal bt Pablo Carreno Busta 7-5, 6-3; Fabio Fognini bt Pablo Andujar 6-3, 6-2; Pablo Cuevas bt Albert Montanes 6-2, 6-2; Federico Delbonis bt Martin Klizan 6-2, 6-1.
Women: Sara Errani bt Lourdes Dominguez 6-0, 7-5; Beatriz Haddad Maia bt Polona Hercog 6-1, 6-2; Anna Schmiedlova bt Paula Ormaechea 6-0, 6-2; Veronica Cepede bt Roberta Vinci 6-2, 6-3.
ATP Delray Beach Open: Donald Young bt Alejandro Gonzalez 6-3, 6-2; Alexandr Dolgopolov bt Tim Smyczek 6-2, 6-4; Bernard Tomic bt Viktor Troicki 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-4; Yoshihito Nishioka bt Marinko Matosevic 6-1, 6-3.
ATP Marseille Open: Simone Bolelli bt Milos Raonic 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(3); Dominic Thiem bt David Goffin 5-1 (abandoned); Gilles Simon bt Borna Coric 6-2, 3-6, 6-3; Stanislas Wawrinka bt Benot Paire 6-2, 6-3; Jeremy Chardy bt Ernests Gulbis 6-3, 6-4.
WTA Dubai Open: Quarterfinals: Garbine Muguruza bt Carla Suarez Navarro 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3; Simona Halep bt Ekaterina Makarova 6-3, 1-6, 7-5; Caroline Wozniacki bt Flavia Pennetta 7-5, 6-0.
