Nadal and Murray Reach Quarter Finals In Tokyo

Written by: Resendiz on 6th October 2011

Nadal and Murray Reach Quarter Finals In Tokyo

Spanish Rafael Nadal in action against French Richard Gasquet during their singles match in the Davis Cup World Group Semifinals between Spain and France, in Cordoba, Spain, 16 September 2011. EPA/JULIO MUNOZ |

Defending Japan Open Champion Rafael Nadal defeated Canadian Milos Raonic 7-5 6-3 today to move into the quarterfinals in Tokyo.

The Spaniard spent one hour and 30 minutes on court and during that time he only lost 11 points on serve. The World No. 2 has amassed 46 career titles and in 2011 he has two ATP Tour titles and one Grand Slam title at Roland Garros. Next up for Nadal is Santiago Giraldo of Colombia who defeated Dmitry Tursunov 6-4 7-6 (4). Giraldo and Nadal have met three times and Nadal has won all three matches. The last match up was in this year’s Barcelona tournament.

Spain will have two players in the quarterfinals of Tokyo after the number three seed David Ferrer ousted Australian qualifier Matthew Ebden in three sets 4-6 6-2 6-2. It took Ferrer almost two hours to get past the big serving Aussie.

“It was difficult because I never played against him before. He played amazing in the first set and served really well. I was more focused and consistent in the second and third sets. I am getting more confident with the conditions, so the more matches the better,” the Spaniard said.

The World No. 5 faces tricky Czech player Radek Stepanek next. Ferrer said of is upcoming opponent, “He (Stepanek) serves so well and is probably in the Top3 serve and volleyers on the ATP World Tour. I’ll need to serve and return well.” Stepanek overcame Somdev Devvarman of India on Monday in straight sets.

World No. 4 Andy Murray had an easy day in the office today when he brushed aside Alex Bogomolov Jr 6-1 6-2. Murray recovered well from his tough three set match against Marcos Baghdatis yesterday. The Brit will move into the quarterfinals and his opponent will be the winner of Ivan Dodig of Croatia and David Nalbandian of Argentina.

In the doubles draw two first round matches have been played today. Lukasz Kubot and Radek Stepanek won against German team Michael Kohlmann and Philipp Petzschner 6-1 6-4. Kubot and Stepanek will now face Brazilian duo Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares who took out the top seeded Indo/Pak Express Rohan and Bopanna and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi yesterday.

David Ferrer is not just having a good run in the singles he is also in the second round of the doubles with partner Marc Lopez. The Spaniards downed Daniele Bracciali and Stantiago Gonzales 6-3 6-4. Ferrer and Lopez’s opposition in the second round will be Frantisek Cerman and Filip Polasek.

The No. 2 seeds Eric Butorac and Jean-Julien Rojer suffered a second round loss today to Robin Haase and Viktor Troicki. Butorac and Rojer are currently in eight place and is in the running to qualify for the Barclay ATP World Tour Finals in London.

The Dutch/Serbian combo are the first team to reach the semi-finals in Tokyo. They will face the winner of Andy and Jamie Murray and Japanese wildcards Ito Tatsuma and Kei Nishikori.