Ferrer to face Thiem in Rio Open QF

Rio de Janeiro - Defending champion David Ferrer of Spain advanced to the quarter-finals of the Rio Open with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Spanish countryman Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

Ferrer faces young Austrian Dominic Thiem in the last eight, a matchup of one of the most consistent players on clay against a 22-year-old viewed as a star of the next generation.

Thiem defeated the King of Clay — Rafael Nadal — last week in the semi-finals in Buenos Aires en route to winning there. Ferrer has won 26 ATP singles titles — five last season.

Nadal is seeded No. 1 in Rio and played late against another Spaniard Nicolas Almagro.

On the women's side of the ATP-WTA event on Thursday, No. 2 seed Johanna Larsson was upset 6-4, 6-4 by Brazilian qualifier Paula Goncalves.