Thursday, October 04, 2012
Berdych flattens Falla to reach Tokyo quarters
By Alastair Himmer
TOKYO (Reuters) - Former champion Tomas Berdych comfortably beat Colombia's Alejandro Falla 6-3 7-5 to reach the quarter-finals of the Japan Open on Thursday.
Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic hits a return to Alejandro Falla of Colombia during their second round men's singles match at the Japan Open tennis championships in Tokyo October 4, 2012. REUTERS/Yuriko NakaoCzech Berdych, who won the Japan Open in 2008, played well within himself, blasting nine aces as he rolled through in one hour, 18 minutes to notch his 50th win of the year.
"I served well and took my chances," the second seed told reporters after moving another step closer to qualifying for the season-ending World Tour Finals.
"I'm not there yet," added the world number six, referring to the next month's eight-man London shootout.
"I need to keep playing well and stick to my tennis. Not talk about it but bring my best game and that's the best way to qualify."
Berdych will face either Spain's Tommy Robredo or local favourite Kei Nishikori, the eighth seed, in the last eight of the $1.2 million hardcourt event.
Third seed Janko Tipsarevic also booked his spot in the quarter-finals with a 6-4 6-2 victory over Swiss qualifier Marco Chiudinelli.
The Serb faces sixth seed Milos Raonic next after Tipsarevic's compatriot Viktor Troicki retired against the Canadian with a calf injury at 3-0 down in the first set.
U.S. Open champion and Tokyo title holder Andy Murray enjoyed a day off before the top seed takes on Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka in their last eight encounter on Friday.
- Gritty Indonesia give mighty China a huge scare
- BAM must stop rewarding mediocrity or be doomed
- Chong Wei urges team-mates to put Cup exit behind
- BAM secretary: It all depends on Kien Keat and Boon Heong now
- Yong-dae believes luckless run in world meet will end in Guangzhou
- Nicol David sails into quarter-finals of British Open in 35 minutes
- Kingston leads, McIlroy in Wentworth woe
- British Open: Ramy Ashour racks up 38th successive win
- Malaysia to host 2016 World Table Tennis meet
- Clock ticking for next golden generation
- Giro stage called off after heavy snow overnight
- Ryan Palmer sizzles with 62 to seize lead at Colonial
- LPGA plans 12-hole rounds in water-logged Bahamas
- British Open: Ramy Ashour racks up 38th successive win
- Clock ticking for next golden generation
- Kingston leads, McIlroy in Wentworth woe
- Haas, Waldorf set pace at Senior PGA Championship
- Palmer takes control with a 62 at Colonial
- Yong-dae believes luckless run in world meet will end in Guangzhou
- Easier for Pandelela without Ruolin and Koltunova
RSS
