Nicolas Almagro, Potito Starace reach Copa Telmex quarterfinals

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -Nicolas Almagro defeated fellow Spaniard Oscar Hernandez 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 to reach the Copa Telmex quarterfinals on Wednesday and match his longest ATP winning streak.

Almagro's ninth successive win, including the Costa do Sauipe title in Brazil on Sunday, equaled a string he achieved in 2006.

In their first ATP matchup, Hernandez could convert only two of 13 break chances against Almagro. Hernandez needed a medical timeout in the second set for apparent heat exhaustion. He resumed after an eight-minute delay.

"It was really hot and it looked like Oscar was suffering a lot," fifth-seeded Almagro said.

Asked if he was still feeling strong after his third career title, he said, "I feel fine. I'm glad to have won a string of matches."

Seventh-seeded Potito Starace of Italy swept past Juan Pablo Brzezicki of Argentina 6-3, 6-3 without offering a break point in their second-round match.