Intro:

Rafael Nadal cruises into the last eight at the Rio Open with a straight sets win over compatriot Albert Montanes.

Script:

Rafael Nadal's comeback from a back injury kicked into high gear on Thursday when he handed fellow Spaniard Albert Montanes a crushing defeat to reach the quarter-finals of the Rio Open.

Nadal broke serve six times and improved his career record against his countryman to 101-15, with a straight sets 6-1, 6-2 win.

Nadal, who during the match wore elastic tape across his lower back, said that he was still a little short of full fitness.

The Spaniard is playing his first tournament since falling to Stanislas Wawrinka in the Australian Open final where he suffered a back injury.

Nadal broke Montanes' opening service games in both sets and was challenged only briefly in the sixth game of the second set. Having broken Nadal to get back on serve at 2-3 Montanes held a game point to draw level, but Nadal refused to yield and won the final four games of the match.

The 26-time ATP World Tour 1000 champion next faces Portugal's Joao Sousa, who defeated Spain's Albert Ramos 7-6(6), 2-6, 6-3.