COSTA DO SAUIPE, Brazil(AP) Top-seeded Nicolas Almargo of Spain moved into the quarterfinals of the Brazil Open by beating Argentina's Martin Vassallo-Arguello, 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday.
Almargo, the defending champion of the tournament and ranked 18th in the world, was inconsistent in the match, alternating between unforced errors and brilliant shots.
Today I played better (than in the first round), but I still have to improve a lot,'' he said after the match.I'm not at the level I was in 2008.''
Almargo converted four of his eight break point chances to remain undefeated against Vassallo-Arguello, winning all four matches they've played.
Second-seeded Tommy Robredo of Spain eased by Fabio Fognini of Italy, 6-2, 6-2.
Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero - the world's top-ranked player in September 2003, but unranked in the tournament - continued his run this week, breezing by Brian Dabul of Argentina 6-1, 6-2.
Jose Acasuso of Argentina got a 6-3, 6-2 win over Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas to make the quarterfinals. Argentine Eduardo Schwank earned a 2-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (6) win over Portugal's Rui Machado.
In other matches, Spain's Alberto Martin defeated Nicolas Devilder of France, 6-2, 7-6 (4); and Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci won over Poland's Lukasz Kubot, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, making him the only Brazilian to reach the quarters.