Nadal Advances To Rio Open Quarterfinals

Even the King of Clay Rafael Nadal needs victories to boost his confidence, which has waned recently as his dominance has slipped on the slippery red surface.

"Winning is the important thing, which gives you confidence and lets you relax," Nadal said after joining fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in the quarterfinals of the Rio Open, the third clay-court tournament in the month-long swing around Latin America.

Nadal and Ferrer -- the top two seeded players -- both beat countrymen Thursday to reach the last eight. Nadal beat Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 7-5 and Ferrer defeated Albert Ramos-Vinolas 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

Nadal has won 14 of 15 matches against Almagro.

Nadal was knocked out in the semifinals last week in Buenos Aires, which he linked partly to stomach problems and the stifling heat in the Argentine summer.

"I'm feeling better physically," Nadal said. "Last week I had a little problem with my stomach during the whole week, and with the humidity -- it was unbelievable. I felt so bad physically. Here I'm feeling much better because the stomach is much better. That's the key on the improvement of my game, and victory helps."

Nadal will face Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine, and Ferrer will meet 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.