SAO PAULO (AP) Nicolas Almagro of Spain extended the defense of his Brazil Open title to the quarterfinals by defeating Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3 Thursday.
Almagro, the top seed, didn't allow a single break point to Hanescu in his victory at the Ibirapuera sporting complex. He had 12 aces and only one double fault in the second-round match that lasted more than two hours.
The 11th-ranked Almagro needed a wild card to defend his title because he initially wasn't certain if he would make the tournament because of his Davis Cup duties with Spain. He also won the Brazil Open in 2008.