Intro:

Italian Fabio Fognini and Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov reach quarter-finals at the Rio Open on Thursday (20th February).

Script:

Third seed Fabio Fognini progressed into the quarter-finals of the Rio Open on Thursday, after beating Pablo Cuevas in three sets.

But the 26-year-old Italian didn't have it all his own way, throwing his racquet on the ground on route to losing the second set 6-4.

Fognini though dominated the deciding set, winning it 6-3 to reach the last eight.

And in the quarter-finals he will face Alexandr Dolgopolov after the Ukrainian came through against Facundo Bagnis.

The 25-year-old converted five of his 12 break points as he sealed his victory in two hours and 31 minutes. Dolgopolov has beaten Fognini in both of their previous two encounters.