Ferrer, Robredo into quarterfinals in Rio Open

Spain’s Tommy Robredo celebrates winning a game against Italy’s Fabio Fognini at a Buenos Aires’ Copa Claro Open semifinal tennis match in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014. AP

RIO DE JANEIRO  — Second-seeded David Ferrer overcame a tough first set to advance to the Rio Open quarterfinals with a 7-6 (2), 6-1 win over Argentina’s Federico Delbonis on Wednesday.

Ferrer joins fellow-Spaniard Tommy Robredo in the final eight after the No. 4 seed downed Dusan Lajovic of Serbia 6-2, 6-1 in the outdoor clay tournament. Eleven of Robredo’s 12 ATP titles have been won on clay.

Ferrer next faces Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci, who came back to claim an upset 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over No. 7 seed Juan Monaco (7), Argentina.

Robredo will play another Spaniard, Pablo Andujar who advanced when Martin Klizan of Slovakia withdrew with an injury.

In women’s matches at the joint WTA-ATP event, top-seeded Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic beat Spain’s Silvia Soler-Espinosa 6-4, 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals.

Third-seeded Paula Ormaechea of Argentina defeated Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens 7-5, 7-5 to also land in the quarterfinals.

No. 5 Kurumi Nara of Japan beat Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei 6-3, 6-2 to reach the second round. Anna-Lena Friedsam of Germany is also into the second round, while Poland’s Katarzyna Piter and Nastassja Burnett of Italy won to advance to the quarterfinals.

RELATED STORIES

Tennis: Murray beats Ferrer to win Miami Masters

Ferrer advances to QF’s at Australian Open