Nalbandian given a fright

David Nalbandian was a relieved man after overcoming Fabio Fognini to reach the quarter-finals of the Buenos Aires Open.

Argentina ace needs more than two hours to see off Fognini

Top-seed David Nalbandian was a relieved man after overcoming the brave challenge of Fabio Fognini to reach the quarter-finals of the Buenos Aires Open. World No.11 Nalbandian needed two hours 18 minutes to record a 7-6 4-6 6-3 victory on his home courts at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club. And Nalbandian admitted: "It was an extremely difficult game. "I managed to hold on for the tiebreak in the first set but lost my way in the second. I was able to pull myself together and break back in the third."

Hot

Nalbandian will now face Potito Starace in the quarters after the Italian saw off another Argentinean, beating Juan Brzezicki 6-3 6-3. Fifth-seed Nicolas Almagro is also through to the last eight, however he was left drained after 6-2 2-6 6-3 victory over fellow Spaniard Oscar Hernandez. The Brazilian Open champion said: "It was really hot out there and it looked like Oscar was really suffering too. "Now I want to rest and recover so I can start preparing for my next game." Almagro will now meet Juan Ignacio Chela after the Argentinean saw off Brazil's Thomaz Belluci 6-4 6-4.