Tennis news - Roger Federer battles through to last eight in Dubai
ByPA Sport
Updated 28/02/2019 at 08:47 GMT
Roger Federer continued to close in on his 100th career singles title after a three-set win over Fernando Verdasco at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Wednesday.
The 37-year-old, who can become only the second man after Jimmy Connors to take his career title success into three figures, beat the Spaniard 6-3 3-6 6-3 to move into the quarter-finals.
Federer was forced to repel a strong fight-back from his opponent, who failed to convert a break point early in the deciding set before the Swiss star held his nerve to secure victory.
He told atptour.com: “I’m happy that I stayed calm throughout the game.
“I felt like I was having a good feeling out there. Even though I wasn’t playing my best, I still felt like it was going to fall my way when it really mattered.”
Federer will face Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics next after the world number 35 beat Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany 6-4 6-2.
But top seed Kei Nishikori crashed out after suffering a shock 7-5 5-7 6-2 defeat to Polish qualifier Hubert Hurkacz.
Hurkacz, the world number 77, had never previously beaten a top 10 player but responded superbly in the final set decider, closing out for victory after establishing a 4-1 lead.
The Pole will next face rising Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas who needed just 57 minutes to overcome Egor Gerasimov of Belarus 6-3 6-1.
Fresh from his recent tournament win in Rotterdam, Gael Monfils continued his fine form with a 6-3 6-2 win over Marcos Baghdatis, and will next face qualifier Ricardas Berankis, who beat Denis Kudla 6-4 6-1.
Sixth seed Borna Coric recovered from a nightmare first set to beat Tomas Berdych 1-6 6-1 7-6 (4), and Nikoloz Basilashvili was a 6-7 (2) 6-4 6-3 winner over Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut.
Argentinian third seed Guido Pella had no trouble progressing to the last eight as he won 90 per cent of his first-serve points in a 6-2 6-4 win over Roberto Carballes Baena, while compatriot Marco Trungelliti beat Thiago Seyboth Wild 6-4 7-5.
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