HEILBRONN, May 12, 2016

Two seeds were in action on Thursday at the €64,000 Neckarcup with Albert Montanes, as the tournament’s highest ranked remaining player in the draw, making his way into the quarterfinals.

The third favourite from Spain recorded his first win over Nicolas Kicker in the pair’s second meeting. Montanes, who lost against the Argentine at Todi Challenger last year, hit five aces and converted six of his seven break point opportunities to secure a 6-3, 6-1 victory in 66 minutes.

Montanes will take on Yannik Reuter next. The world number 445 from Belgium, who replaced Daniel Brands as lucky loser, won 63% of his first service points to advance to his first Challenger quarterfinal of the season, his first since Meknes in September 2015.

Eighth seed Igor Sijsling cruised past German youngster Maximilian Marterer, who entered the main draw with a wild card. The 28-year-old from the Netherlands didn’t face a break point, converting three of his own to finish the encounter after only 50 minutes.

Sijsling will take on Nikoloz Basilashvili, who overcame Blaz Rola 6-7, 6-3, 7-6. The world number 125 from Georgia only won 49% of the total points but rallied in the tie-break from 4-2 down to prevail in two hours and 23 minutes.