Read & Watch: Murray/Soares Have The Last Laugh Against Delpo/Nishikori

Kei Nishikori earned a high five from partner Juan Martin del Potro after tagging Bruno Soares with a shot in their second-round match at the Mutua Madrid Open, but Soares and Jamie Murray had the last laugh. The third seeds defeated Del Potro and Nishikori 7-6(5), 6-2 on Wednesday to earn their place in the quarter-finals at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament.

Del Potro and Nishikori, teaming up for the first time this week, had played their second-round singles matches earlier in the day. Del Potro lost to Rio Open presented by Claro champion Laslo Djere, while Nishikori prevailed against qualifier Hugo Dellien.

Read: Djere Saves M.P. On Delpo’s Return | Nishikori Battles

Murray and Soares will next face Wesley Koolhof and Stefanos Tsitsipas, who ousted Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters champions Nikola Mektic and Franko Skugor 6-2, 6-4. Mektic had also won the Madrid title last year with Alexander Peya.

Second seeds and 2017 champions Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo continued their bid to reclaim the Madrid title by defeating Robin Haase and Raven Klaasen 6-4, 7-6(5). In the quarter-finals, they will play Guido Pella and Joao Sousa, who fought for a 4-6, 7-6(11), 11-9 win over No. 8 seeds Henri Kontinen and John Peers.

Sixth seeds Oliver Marach and Mate Pavic also advanced as they beat Argentines Maximo Gonzalez and Horacio Zeballos 6-4, 7-6(3). Meanwhile, Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau prevailed against Brits Kyle Edmund and Neal Skupski 6-2, 6-7(4), 10-5.