Nalbandian ousts Johansson, Ancic, Nishikori to meet in Stockholm
10/10/2008 17:02
Top-seeded Argentine David Nalbandian proved too much for Joachim
Johansson in the Swede's first tournament since coming out of retirement, taking
less than an hour to post the 6-3, 6-2 second round win yesterday at the
Stockholm Open.
World No. 7 Nalbandian dropped just five points on serve
during the match and converted on three of his four break point
chances.
Johansson had originally retired from the ATP circuit in February
after suffering shoulder injuries for three years, but had announced last Friday
that he would resume his professional tennis career starting this week in
Stockholm. This will be his only tournament this year, but he will resume a full
schedule towards the second half of 2009.
Nalbandian will face seventh seed
Albert Montanes in the quarterfinals after the Spaniard rallied from a set down
to edge out Swiss qualifier George Bastl 1-6, 6-3, 6-2.
The World No. 51, who
captured his maiden ATP title at Amersfoort, is through to his fifth ATP
quarterfinal of the season.
Croatian second seed Mario Ancic advanced to his
fifth ATP quarterfinal of the season with a 7-6 (4), 6-4 victory over Belgian
Steve Darcis. The 24-year-old fired 13 aces and was able to capitalize on one of
four break point chances to reach the Stockholm quarterfinals for the third time
in four event appearances.
Ancic next will face Japanese wild card Kei
Nishikori, who battled past Dominik Hrbaty 6-1, 1-6, 7-5 to win back-to-back
matches on the ATP circuit for the fifth time this year.
The 18-year-old
Stockholm debutant has jumped 212 places in the ATP Rankings since the start of
the year and is currently placed a career-high No. 77.
In February he
captured his maiden ATP title at Delray Beach to become the first Japanese ATP
singles titlist since Shuzo Matsuoka won the 1992 South Korea crown.
"This is
the first time I'm winning so constantly and it surprises me," admitted
Nishikori. "Of course I haven't faced anyone from the yop 10, but it gives me
confidence. Now I wish to advance to the semifinals."
Two-time finalist
Jarkko Nieminen of Finland, the No. 3 seed this week, earned his spot in the
quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2 win over Frenchman Arnaud Clement in two
hours and 47 minutes.
Nieminen advances to the Stockholm quarterfinals for
the third straight year and for the fourth time overall.
Meanwhile, No. 4
seed Robin Soderling kept Swedish title hopes alive by defeating Argentine lucky
loser Juan Monaco 6-3, 6-3.
Xinhua
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