Mercedes Cup: Rafael Nadal gets past Marcos Baghdatis to reach the quarterfinals

Rafael Nadal plays a backhand in his win over Marcos Baghdatis

Spaniard Rafael Nadal beat Marcos Baghdatis 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 6-2 in 2 hours and 40 minutes to reach the last eight stage in Stuttgart.

Nadal was 2-4 down and saved three break points before winning the first set in the breaker. Baghdatis was more aggressive in the second set and took the match to a decider after winning the set in a breaker.

The World No. 10 broke the Cypriot’s serve twice in the third set to set a quarterfinal clash against Bernard Tomic.

"The first match on grass is always tough," Nadal said. "He's a very good player and he'd already played a match."

The young Australian cut short Tommy Haas’s return with a 7-6 (6), 6-2 win.

"I need to be more aggressive, to return better, and to move better," Nadal said ahead of his match against Tomic.