Cuevas form continues at Brasil Open

Pablo Cuevas' winning run continued at the Brasil Open as he booked his spot in the semi-finals on Friday.

The Uruguayan, fresh from his title win in Rio de Janeiro, battled past wildcard Thiago Monteiro 4-6 6-3 6-3 in their last-eight clash on the clay courts in Sao Paulo.

The third-seeded Cuevas served 13 aces and broke four times, but looked in trouble after dropping the first set.

Monteiro broke serve to start the second set before defending champion Cuevas rallied back, taking a 3-1 lead in the third on his way to victory.

Cuevas will face Dusan Lajovic in the last four after the Serbian beat Portuguese qualifier Gastao Elias 6-3 4-6 6-0.

Fourth seed Federico Delbonis, the 2014 champion, was sent packing in the quarter-finals, going down to Inigo Cervantes 7-6 (8-6) 2-6 6-4.

The Argentinean missed his chances in the third set and was punished when Cervantes broke for 4-3.

Awaiting Cervantes is a fellow Spaniard in Pablo Carreno Busta, who was a 6-0 6-3 winner over Roberto Carballes Baena.