Rafael Nadal reaches Brisbane quarter-finals

Unseeded Rafael Nadal cruised into the Brisbane International quarter-finals with a 6-1, 6-2 win on Thursday against home favorite Jason Kubler of Australia.

In his first tournament in nearly 12 months, the Spanish star saved all four break points and finished with 20 winners and only eight unforced errors in the 83-minute victory.

Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria rolled over Germany’s Daniel Altmaier 6-1, 6-2. Australia’s Jordan Thompson advanced in a walkover against No. 4 seed Ugo Humbert of France, who withdrew due to illness.

Thompson next faces Nadal. Dimitrov’s quarterfinal opponent will be Australia’s Rinky Hijikata, who rallied for a 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 (4) victory over Czech Tomas Machac.