Defending champion Kei Nishikori thrashed Colombian 15th seed Santiago Giraldo 6-2 6-1 on Thursday to move into the quarter-finals of the Barcelona Open.

The Japanese top seed, making his first appearance of the season on clay in the Catalan capital, showed no signs of rustiness early on as he romped to a 4-0 lead.

Giraldo responded by getting a break of serve back at 4-2, but Nishikori then reeled off the next seven games to take him to the brink of victory and he served it out to make the last eight with ease.

The world No.5 will face Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut or Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas on Friday.

Rafael Nadal will continue his quest for a ninth Barcelona title later on Thursday when he takes on Italian Fabio Fognini.