Four-time champion Rafael Nadal has made it through to the semi-final stage of the Madrid Open courtesy of a straight-sets win over David Goffin.
However, after a bright start from the 20-year-old, tiredness kicked in as Cuevas, backed by a fervent support including Atletico Madrid duo Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann, roared back to win the second set 6-0.
He saved all six break opportunities he conceded to Nadal in the first set, but the fifth-ranked Spaniard took control of the tiebreaker under the closed roof on center court.
The two will meet in today's Madrid Masters semi-final with Nadal looking to bridge the gap with Djokovic boasting a 26-23 head-to-head advantage.
Croatian Borna Coric, conqueror of world number one Andy Murray in the third round, plays Dominic Thiem of Austria later on Friday with the victor meeting Pablo Cuevas in the other semi-final after the Uruguayan beat German Alexander Zverev 3-6 6-0 6-4.
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Thiem against Coric avenged a loss earlier this year at Miami.
The sixth-seeded Nishikori, a Madrid finalist in 2014, withdrew saying his wrist was "not 100 percent" and he didn't want to risk it.
Zverev had been on a seven-match victory streak after winning his second title of the season in Munich last week. On the other hand, Djokovic benefitted from his last-eight opponent Kei Nishikori's injury as the Japanese top-ranked player withdrew from the tie yesterday. He lost to Goffin in the quarterfinals in Monte Carlo, his first clay tournament of the season.
"It will be a very hard match against one of the best sportsmen this sport has ever had, and to have a chance I'll have to be at my very best", Nadal said.
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