Nishikori reaches Barcelona Open quarter-finals

Top-seed and Japan’s defending champion eases past Giraldo for a place in the last-eight.

Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell - Day 4
The trophy last year was Nishikori's first clay-court title [Getty Images]

Defending champion Kei Nishikori eased past Santiago Giraldo of Colombia 6-2, 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Barcelona Open.

Nishikori beat Giraldo last year in straight sets at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona to win his first clay-court title, and the top-seeded Japanese had little trouble repeating his victory after converting five of nine break points.

Nishikori will play either Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay or Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut next.

Later, second-seed Rafael Nadal plays Fabio Fognini for a place in the last-eight.

Results:

14-Martin Klizan (Slovakia) beat Victor Estrella (Dominican Republic) 6-4, 6-3
7-Roberto Bautista (Spain) beat 10-Pablo Cuevas (Uruguay) 7-6, 6-2
1-Kei Nishikori (Japan) beat 15-Santiago Giraldo (Colombia) 6-2, 6-1

Source: News Agencies