Monfils def Tomic, Nalbandian crushes Dodig in Stockholm

Written by: Global Chick on 21st October 2011

Monfils def Tomic, Nalbandian crushes Dodig in Stockholm

David Nalbandian of Argentina celebrates after beating Viktor Troicki of Serbia in their singles match of the Davis Cup World Group semi final between Serbia and Argentina in Belgrade, Serbia, 16 September 2011. Nalbandian won 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 and 6-3. EPA/KOCA SULEJMANOVIC |

The 2008 Stockholm Open Champion David Nalbandian destroyed Croatian Ivan Dodig 6-1 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals at Kungliga Tennishallen in Stockholm on Thursday.

The former world number three spent just under one hour on court yesterday with Dodig. Nalbandian will meet American James Blake next. Blake defeated Juan Martin Del Potro in the second round.

On the same side of the draw as Blake and Nalbandian are Tobias Kamke and Jarkko Nieminen. Kamke took out the number eight seed Tommy Robredo in his opening round and is continuing with his great form. On Thursday Kamke overcame his fellow German qualifier Sebastian Rieschick 6-3 6-1. He will now face Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen for a spot in the semi-finals.

The Swedish crowd love fellow Scandinavian Jarkko Nieminen and adopt him for the Stockholm Open week. Today Nieminen caused an upset by taking out World No. 19 Stanislas Wawrinka 6-3 6-4. Finland’s number one player has been a runner up in Stockholm twice.

Another upset was caused by Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov when he overcame the number four seed Juan Ignacio Chela in three sets. The World No. 70 now goes on to face Canadian star Milos Raonic.

First time Stockholm visitor Gael Monfils toughed out a win over Australian teenager Bernard Tomic 6-4 6-7 (4) 6-4. Tomic was up a break in the third set but failed to stay ahead when the Frenchman broke back at 4-4. “It was a tough match. He’s young, he’s strong, he’s coming in great. He has a tricky game,” the World No. 10 said.

Top seeds Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi are continuing their success in Stockholm. On Thursday they had a straight set win over Michael Kohlmann and Alexander Waske. They will now clash with Marcos Baghdatis and Juan Martin Del Potro in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Defending doubles Champions Eric Butroac and Jean-Julien Rojer advanced into the semi-finals after a win over Xavier Malisse and Frank Moser 6-3 6-4. The World No. 9th ranked team will play the winner of Juan Ignacio Chela and Andre Sa and Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares.

SCHEDULE – FRIDAY, 21 OCTOBER, 2011

CENTRE COURT start 12:00 noon

[1] R Bopanna (IND) / A Qureshi (PAK) vs M Baghdatis (CYP) / J Del Potro (ARG)

Not Before 1:30 PM

[Q] T Kamke (GER) vs J Nieminen (FIN)

G Dimitrov (BUL) vs [6] M Raonic (CAN)

Not Before 6:30 PM

D Nalbandian (ARG) vs J Blake (USA)

Not Before 8:15 PM

[1] G Monfils (FRA) vs [5] K Anderson (RSA)

COURT 1 start 3:00 pm

J Chela (ARG) / A Sa (BRA) vs [4] M Melo (BRA) / B Soares (BRA)