INDIAN WELLS, California, (Reuters) – Spaniard Tommy Robredo, despite being hampered by a hamstring strain, crushed American Sam Querrey 6-1 6-3 yesterday to become the first player through to the Indian Wells quarter-finals.
Robredo will next meet former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina, who came from 1-6 down in the second set tiebreak to beat Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6 7-6.
Del Potro, who played just three tournaments last year because of a wrist injury, sealed victory with his 13th ace of the match after the German had netted a forehand on the previous point.
Robredo broke an out-of-sorts Querrey three times in the opening set and once in the second to win their encounter in 82 minutes and improve his record this year to 16-4.
Under overcast skies at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, the Spaniard struggled with his leg late in the second set and was delighted to have a day’s rest before Friday’s quarter-finals.
“Hopefully it’s going to be alright,” 25th seed Robredo said courtside after grunting and groaning his way to victory from the baseline. “I have had this pain for a month already and in the fourth game of the second set, I felt a strain.
“Luckily I could win,” the Spaniard told reporters later, speaking through an interpreter. “And now I have one day to recover, and hopefully I can go through.
“I’m happy for me because I could win today and I have one day to recover.”
DEL POTRO
CHALLENGE
Asked about the challenge of del Potro in the next round, Robredo replied: “He’s a great player and hits so hard all the time. He’s coming on strong again after last year.”
Querrey, who upset ninth-seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 7-5 6-4 to reach the fourth round for the first time at Indian Wells, was frustrated after his poor display against Robredo.
“I just couldn’t get my rhythm, couldn’t really sink my teeth into it,” said the American 21st seed who served up six double faults in the first set. “I just couldn’t get my rhythm, couldn’t really sink my teeth into it.”
Del Potro, who has slipped to 90th in the rankings from a career-high number four, was up a set and a break in a tight match before Kohlschreiber fought back.
The German got back on serve in the seventh game and appeared to take control of the tiebreak which followed. However the towering Argentine stunningly saved five set points before wrapping up victory with his timely ace.
“It is not normal to come back from 6-1 down on tiebreaks but I got lucky and I take my opportunities,” said del Potro who won his eighth ATP title at last month’s Delray Beach International Championships.
“I say, try to make an ace; I did. Because I’m winning matches, I have confidence to do it, and that’s what I need for the next match.”
Later yesterday, world number one Rafa Nadal was scheduled to take on Indian qualifier Somdev Devvarman while second-ranked Roger Federer was pitted against American wildcard Ryan Harrison.