Nadal reaches quarters in Barcelona

Barcelona - Tennis World No.5 Rafael Nadal defeated France’s Benoit Paire Friday to reach the quarterfinals of the Barcelona Open.

It took the Spaniard 86 minutes to dispose of Paire 7-6(2), 6-2 in a rain-delayed game Thursday.

Seven-time Barcelona champion Nadal survived a first-set tie break to finish his opponent in the second, converting both of his break points.

Nadal, who missed his first clay title of the season after losing in last week’s Monte Carlo final to Novak Djokovic, will face either his compatriot Albert Ramos or sixth seed Kei Nishikori in the quarters later Friday.

Elsewhere, eighth seed Philipp Kohlschreiber managed a 1-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(5) comeback win over Martin Klizan.

The German will face 16th seed Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil in the quarterfinals.