VIENNA, October 25, 2018
The quarterfinals of the Erste Bank Open 500 are set. Top seed Dominic Thiem headlined Thursday’s second round action in Vienna, edging past US-American Sam Querrey 6-4, 6-4.
The World No. 7, who is trying to secure one of the three remaining spots for the seasonending Nitto ATP Finals in London, lost just four of his first-service points in the one hour and 18 minutes encounter, saving three break points at 3-2 in the second set.
50 UP ❗️@ThiemDomi records his 50th ATP singles win of the season! He’ll face Nishikori next in the Vienna quarter-finals…#ErsteBankOpen pic.twitter.com/rODd9F8fj8
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 25. Oktober 2018
“This has been one of the most important wins this year,” said Thiem. “I felt pressure to hold my serve throughout the match, so I am happy to close it out in straight sets.”
Thiem will next take on Kei Nishikori. The No. 5 seed from Japan beat Russia’s Karen Khachanov 6-2, 6-2. The encounter lasted 64 minutes.
“Against Nishikori I expect longer rallies than today,” the 25-year-old Austrian commented. “It will be a very difficult match, as he is almost back to his best performance. I played a good match against him earlier this season and hope to benefit from it.”
Fernando Verdasco fought past eighth favourite Kyle Edmund of Great Britain 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. The 34-year-old Spaniard won one point more than his opponent to prevail after one hour and 55 minutes. Verdasco will next challenge Frenchman Gael Monfils, who defeated US-American John Isner 6-4, 6-4.
Mikhail Kukushkin continued his great run of form this week, knocking off Russian lucky loser Andrey Rublev 7-6(4), 6-4. The qualifier from Kazakhstan will play Marton Fucsovics of Hungary in the stage of the final eight.
