Dimitrov passes del Potro test

 

Originally published on 17/08/17 00:00

The Bulgarian capitalised on a fast start to take the opener and then struck at the business end of the second set – as his opponent wilted in the afternoon heat – to secure a 6-3 7-5 victory and set up a last eight meeting with Yuichi Sugita.

"He's a tricky opponent, a super-experienced player," said Dimitrov after his victory. "I definitely had to stay away a little bit from that forehand. I knew if I keep the ball low on his backhand side and just worked my way into the court, it would be the right thing to do.”

Elsewhere on the grounds, Jared Donaldson overcame Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-4 7-6(4) to make his first ever Masters quarter-final and David Ferrer’s renaissance continued as he enjoyed a routine 6-4 6-4 success over compatriot, Pablo Carreno Busta.

The veteran Spaniard will play Dominic Thiem next. The Austrian powerhouse may still searching for his best form, but he did enough to see off Adrian Mannarino 7-6(4) 7-6(3) 

In the women’s event, Simona Halep advanced to the quarter-finals after a swift 6-4 6-3 win over Anastasija Sevastova.

The Romanian, who could reach world No.1 next week depending on results, said: "The match felt quite tough, it was not easy at all. I can say that I'm not playing my best tennis in this moment, but winning, even if I play less good, is a big plus for me.”

Garbine Muguruza survived a scare as she saved three-match points before taking out Madison Keys 6-4 3-6 7-6(3) in a big-hitting contest. Johanna Konta is also safely through after brushing past Dominika Cibulkova 6-3 6-4 .

Caroline Wozniacki wasted little time ensuring her progression to the next stage. The Dane has bounced back well from her Rogers Cup final defeat and she claimed a 6-4 6-2 win over Australia’s Ashleigh Barty in just 67 minutes.

Svetlana Kuznestova enjoyed a smooth passage into the last eight. The Russian dropped just six games as she proved to be too strong for Carla Suarez Navarro.

 

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