almagro continues spanish surge unseeded nicolas almagro became the fifth spaniard to reach the last eight at the buenos aires open ousting eighth seed mariano zabaleta he showed admirable resolve to win a rainaffected match 67 64 64 compatriot and seventh seed rafael nadal also reached the last eight beating italian potito starace 61 63 nadal playing in the outdoor clay event for the first time hit some powerful forehands to oust starace in a match delayed over an hour by rain it s always a problem to have to stop for rain but one gets used to it said spanish teenager nadal luckily i was able to keep my pace going throughout the match he will now play gaston gaudio who beat unseeded brazilian flavio saretta 63 62 in the day s late match