Top-seeded Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta defeated defending champion Nicolas Almagro 6-2 6-4 to reach the semi-finals of the Estoril Open.

The 21st-ranked Carreno Busta converted all his break points – two in each set – and saved five of the six break points that fellow Spaniard Almagro had in the decisive set.

Carreno Busta next faces another Spaniard, David Ferrer, who defeated Ryan Harrison of the United States, 6-4 6-0, for his 698th career win.

The 52nd-ranked Harrison reached the quarter-finals after former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro withdrew on Wednesday because of the death of his grandfather in Argentina.