Tsonga survives scare
Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:12
Nieminen raced out of the blocks, breaking his higher-ranked opponent three times on the way to a 6-0 first set.
Tsonga gradually worked his way back into the contest, but still needed two tie-breaks before eventually emerging a 0-6 7-6 (7/1) 7-6 (7/5) victor.
Czech Berdych did not fare so well after losing the first set to Nishikori, however, and went on to lose 7-6 (9/7) 6-3 to the Japanese player.
Also on Wednesday, number three seed Fernando Verdasco made light work of Mario Ancic with a comfortable 6-2 6-3 triumph.
He will now play Florent Serra after the Italian downed Jurgen Melzer 6-4 6-3.
Latvian Ernests Gulbis – the man who sensationally upset top seed Novak Djokovic on Tuesday – was beaten in straight sets by Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu, 6-3 6-4, while eighth-seeded Czech Radek Stepanek defeated Frenchman Michael Llodra 7-6 (7/2) 6-3.
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