RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Frenchman Gael Monfils advanced to the quarterfinals of the Rio Open on Thursday by beating Croatian top seed Marin Cilic.

The world No. 39 won 6-3, 7-6 (8) to set up a duel with Argentinian Diego Schwartzman at the Jockey Club Brasileiro.

Monfils needed just five minutes to finish the match after play was interrupted by heavy rain on Wednesday night.

It marked a disappointing clay court return for world No. 3 Cilic, who reached the Australian Open final last month.

Italy's Fabio Fognini defeated American Tennys Sandgren 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6) to set up a quarterfinal match with Slovenian Alijaz Bedene, who overcame third seed Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.