Verdasco ends Thiem's Rio defence
Fernando Verdasco again proved too good for Dominic Thiem with a fine performance at the Rio Open.
Fernando Verdasco crushed defending champion Dominic Thiem to move into the Rio Open semi-finals, while Gael Monfils was eliminated.
Verdasco made it three wins in as many meetings with Thiem, claiming a 6-4 6-0 victory in just 86 minutes in the quarter-final clash in Brazil.
The No.8 seed, from Spain, saved all four break points he faced while converting four of 13 in a deserved victory.
Verdasco had beaten Thiem at Wimbledon in 2015 and in Paris last year, his latest victory improving his head-to-head record over the Austrian to 3-0.
His next opponent is Fabio Fognini, the No.5 seed, from Italy, and and 2015 runner-up rallying past Aljaz Bedene 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-1.
Monfils's run was ended in the quarter-finals as the flamboyant Frenchman was comprehensively beaten by Diego Schwartzman 6-3 6-4.
Schwartzman, the No.6 seed, will meet Nicolas Jarry, who continued his run by upsetting No.7 seed Pablo Cuevas 7-5 6-3.