STOCKHOLM, October 21, 2016

Only half of the seeded players remained in the draw at the beginning of quarterfinal Friday at the If Stockholm Open, including two former champions and last year’s runner-up. First up on Centre Court was 2013 Champion Grigor Dimitrov beating Kevin Anderson 7-6, 5-7, 6-2.

The world number 18 from Bulgaria, who appeared in the stage of the final eight for the second time in the Swedish capital, saved four of the six break points he faced, converting three of his own to prevail in two hours and 18 minutes.

Dimitrov will next face Juan Martin del Potro. The Argentine wild card knocked off 2007 Stockholm champion and tournament’s third seed Ivo Karlovic, winning 6-3, 6-4. Del Potro withstood 12 aces, hitting six of his own to seal victory in 71 minutes.

“It’s never easy to play against these guys. You need to be focused all the time and try to break his serve, which I did twice today. That was the key of the match,” Del Potro told during his on court interview.

“It feels good to be in the semi-finals. It is a great tournament for me and I am enjoying a great rest of the season after my injuries. I am so glad being able to finish the season in good shape.”

Del Potro had won all of the three previous meetings with Dimitrov, the latest at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart this summer.

“Those matches were in the past. It is going to be different tomorrow with another interesting match and I think that the crowd will enjoy the game.”

Sock To Take On Zverev

Alexander Zverev

Sixth seed Jack Sock edged past Gastao Elias, winning 6-4, 6-4. The 24-year-old from the United States, who had weathered two three-set matches to reach the quarterfinals, won 73 per cent of his first service points to advance in one hour and 34 minutes.

Alexander Zverev emerged victorious from the all-German-affair with Tobias Kamke. The teenager sent down six aces, winning 72 per cent of his first service points to secure a 6-3, 7-6 victory in one hour and 37 minutes.