RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Former champion Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay advanced to the quarterfinals of the Rio Open by beating Argentina's Juan Ignacio Londero on Thursday.
Cuevas, who won the event in 2016, prevailed 6-1, 6-4 in just over an hour on the outdoor clay of the Jockey Club Brasileiro.
He will confront Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas on Friday for a spot in the last four of the ATP 500 event. Ramos-Vinolas advanced by defeating Argentinian Federico Delbonis 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 on Thursday.
"I'm happy with my tennis and to be honest I don't feel like I'm the favorite to win this tournament," said Cuevas. "I know it's going to be a tough match against a Spaniard on clay, but I feel ready and I believe in my tennis. I still have some adjustments to make but I think I can win."
Norway's Casper Ruud also set up a quarterfinal berth by upsetting Portuguese fifth seed Joao Sousa 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Ruud will meet Serbia's Laslo Dere, who overcame Japan's Taro Daniel 6-4, 6-2 in their last 16 duel.
