FERRER AND RAONIC IMPROVE LONDON CHANCES, FEDERER REACHES BASEL QUARTERFINALS BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 23rd October 2014

Swiss Indoors tennis tournament in Basel

FERRER AND RAONIC IMPROVE LONDON CHANCES, FEDERER REACHES BASEL QUARTERFINALS BY RICKY DIMON

epa04460026 Switzerland's Roger Federer reacts during his round of sixteen match against Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, 23 October 2014. EPA/GEORGIOS KEFALAS |

Milos Raonic kept his World Tour Finals chances afloat by fighting past Donald Young 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(2) in the second round of the Swiss Indoors Basel on Thursday. It was an especially important victory because fellow London contender David Ferrer advanced to the quarterfinals at the Valencia Open. Ferrer downed fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-2.

Basel summary

Raonic double-faulted seven times over the course of two hours and 18 minutes, but he fired 22 aces and saved both of the break points he faced against Young. After Young dropped serve in the opening game of the match, the two players combined to hold 33 straight service games. The ninth-ranked Canadian is currently No. 10th in the race to London but projected to pass Ferrer for No. 9 (even if they finish with the same result this week).

Canada’s Milos Raonic serves a ball to USA’s Donald Young during their Round of 16 at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, 23 October 2014. EPA/GEORGIOS KEFALAS

USA’s Donald Young reacts during his round of sixteen match against Canada’s Milos Raonic at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, 23 October 2014. EPA/GEORGIOS KEFALAS

Roger Federer joined Raonic in the quarterfinals by overcoming Denis Istomin 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. It marked the second consecutive year in which Federer has defeated Istomin in three sets in the Basel second round.

Other winners on Thursday were Benjamin Becker, Ivo Karlovic, and Borna Coric. Coric’s reward for defeating Andrey Golubev is a date with No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer serves a ball to Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin during their round of sixteen match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, 23 October 2014. EPA/GEORGIOS KEFALAS

Valencia summary

It was a mixed day for Spaniards in Valencia. In addition to the Ferrer-Verdasco match, Pablo Andujar rolled over Dusan Lajovic but Roberto Bautista Agut had to withdraw against Thomaz Bellucci due to an abdominal problem. For the Spanish fans, though, Ferrer’s safe passage is what is most important. Not only is he the host nation’s top title hope, but he also needs a successful week to boost his London aspirations.

Spanish tennis player David Ferrer celebrates his victory against his countryman Fernando Verdasco at the end of their round of 16 match of the Valencia Open 500 at the Agora tennis court in Valencia, Spain, 23 October 2014. EPA/KAI FOERSTERLING

“The first set was very important,” the top seed explained after seeing off Verdasco. “I played very well in the first games, when he was hitting the ball very hard, and it wasn’t easy. I stayed solid in the second set took my chances.”

Briefs

* Raonic outlasts Young, will pass Ferrer for No. 9 in race if they post same result this week.

* Becker gets retirement from Kukushkin, surges into top 40.

* Karlovic overcomes De Schepper, can reach top 25 with Basel final.

* Coric likely up to No. 115 with Basel quarterfinal, would reach top 100 with upset of Nadal.

* Ferrer eases past Verdasco, needs Valencia final to stay ahead of Berdych at No. 5.

* Bellucci gets walkover from Bautista Agut, comfortably into top 45.

* Murray takes care of Fognini to stay ahead of Raonic and Ferrer in race.

* Chardy edges Dolgopolov, likely into top 30 with one more victory

* Andujar downs Lajovic to give himself top 40 chance.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: Basel, David Ferrer, Donald Young, London, milos raonic, Ricky Dimon, Roger Federer, Tennis, Valencia Open

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10sBalls_com says:

October 23, 2014 at 5:51 pm

@DavidFerrer87 AND @milosraonic IMPROVE #LONDON CHANCES, @rogerfederer REACHES #BASEL QUARTERFINALS BY @RD_Tennistalk http://t.co/TxIaSrk0u8
RD_Tennistalk says:

October 23, 2014 at 5:52 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: @DavidFerrer87 AND @milosraonic IMPROVE #LONDON CHANCES, @rogerfederer REACHES #BASEL QUARTERFINALS BY @RD_Tennistalk htt…

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