Nadal eases into Rio quarters

Rafael Nadal remains on course to retain his Rio Open title after beating Pablo Carreno Busta 7-5 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals The world number three is yet to drop a set in his first tournament of the year on clay and needed just over two hours to see off his compatriot on his way to the last eight.
Carreno Busta did make a promising start, breaking Nadal to go 3-2 up before the 14-time major winner broke straight back.
Nadal then wasted three set points in the 10th game as his 23-year-old opponent hung on before securing a decisive break in the final game to take the first set.
The second set proved to be more straight forward as the 28-year-old broke Carreno Busta in the eighth game to go 5-3 up before securing his place in the quarter-finals.
“It was a tough match,” said Nadal. “I was glad to get the break back when he got to 3-2. At 5-4 I made a couple of mistakes. Then in the second set I was a bit tired from the first to begin with and sought to bring my serve through.
“At 3-2 I tried to get the break and it didn’t come off but the next one did. For me every win is important – and especially on clay.”
Nadal will now face Pablo Cuevas in the quarter-finals after the sixth seed beat Albert Montanes 6-2 6-2.