Nicolas Almagro makes Copa Claro quarterfinals in Buenos Aires

Spaniard Nicolas Almagro has won 12 career ATP titles, all on clay courts.

Andre Penner/AP

Nicolas Almagro of Spain and Federico Delbonis of Argentina picked up second-round victories on Thursday and are set to meet in the quarterfinals of the Copa Claro in the Argentine capital.

Second-seeded Almagro defeated Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia 7-6 (5), 6-2. Delbonis won against Albert Montanes of Spain 6-1, 6-4.

Almagro struggled in the first set.

"It was not a very good match for me," he said. "The important thing is being in the quarterfinals again."

Almagro won this tournament two years ago and was the runner-up last year to fellow Spaniard David Ferrer. This is his sixth appearance in the quarterfinals.

"It's always nice coming here," he said. "I feel really good and I feel loved by the people here. Six times in the quarterfinals says a lot, and a title, too."

Ferrer is the top seed again and played late Thursday against David Nalbandian of Argentina. No. 3 Stanislas Wawrinka faced Daniel Gimeno-Traver, also in a late match.