Nikolay Davydenko secured his place in the quarter-finals of the ATP Estoril Open with a 7-5 6-2 win over Juan Carlos Ferrero.
The 2003 Estoril champion, still looking for his first title this season, broke the Spaniard's serve four times as he came out victorious in under 90 minutes.
Davydenko will next face sixth seed Mardy Fish. The American bounced back from a set down to beat Ivan Navarro 2-6 6-1 6-4.
With David Ferrer, seeded third, losing in straight sets to fellow Spaniard Oscar Hernandez, Davydenko is refusing to get too carried away.
"I don't want to say I am now the favourite for this tournament. I am not Nadal, and I have not won any tournaments this year," the world number 11 commented.
Davydenko clearly enjoys the Portugese tournament, having won the title in 2003 and being a two-time runner-up.
