STOCKHOLM, October 19, 2017
The quarterfinals at the Intrum Stockholm Open are set. Top seed and 2013 champion Grigor Dimitrov defeated Polish qualifier Jerzy Janowicz 7-5, 7-6 on Thursday evening.
The World No. 8 from Bulgaria saved both break points he faced, capitalizing on one of his own to seal victory in one hour and 35 minutes. Next up for Dimitrov will be German wild card entry Mischa Zverev. The fifth favourite eased past Viktor Troicki of Serbia 6-2, 6-3 in 68 minutes.
Seventh-seeded Japanese Yuichi Sugita recorded his 22nd match win of a career-best season by knocking out 2009 Stockholm Open champion Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 in one hour and 49 minutes. The 29-year-old Tokyo resident withstood 13 aces and broke his opponent’s serve five times to meet fourth favourite Juan Martin Del Potro in the quarterfinals.
Second seed Kevin Anderson booked his place in the stage of the final eight with a 6-3, 6-2 win over #NextGenATP South Korean Hyeon Chung. The 31-year-old from South Africa struck 18 aces and won 28 of his 32 first service points to improve to a 32-18 mark on the season.
“In the beginning I felt I was hitting the ball great and I was creating opportunities,” said Anderson. “He was hanging in there and it took me quite a few attempts to break serve. He defends so well and is a great athlete, so for me to come off the court with that scoreline feels good.” He will next take on Fernando Verdasco of Spain.