Rio de Janeiro: David Ferrer’s defence of the Rio Open was ended at the quarter-final stage as he was soundly beaten in straight sets by 22-year-old Dominic Thiem. Last year’s champion and 2nd seed this time around could not cope with Thiem’s power and the fifth seed triumphed 6-3, 6-2 in just 73 minutes on the Brazilian clay.

Spain's David Ferrer; (left) Power-packed: Austria’s Dominic Thiem reacts after defeating David Ferrer of Spain 6-3, 6-2 in the men’s singles quarter-finals of the Rio Open in Brazil on Saturday. pic/AFP