Karlovic into last eight

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:12

Sixth-seeded Carlos Moya appeared to be the likely opponent for Karlovic in the last eight, but the veteran Spaniard was upset 4-6 7-5 6-4 by wild card Somdev Devvarman.

A native of India backed by the partisan crowd, the 202nd-ranked Devvarman will be appearing in his first ATP quarter-final when he clashes with the hard-serving Karlovic.

The 6ft 10in Croatian, who led the ATP with 981 aces in 2008, blasted 16 past Minar in Thursday’s triumph.

Karlovic became the highest remaining seed in the field when top seed Nikolay Davydenko withdrew due to a heel injury.

The 29-year-old Karlovic faces a potential semi-final match with fifth seed Rainer Schuettler, who advanced to the quarters with a 6-4 6-2 win over fellow German Simon Greul.

Awaiting Schuettler is unseeded compatriot Bjorn Phau, a 6-1 6-2 winner against Italian qualifier Flavio Cipolla.

Czech wild card Lukas Dlouhy reached the last eight via walkover against Davydenko and will meet eighth-seeded Spaniard Martin Granollers, who posted a 6-4 6-1 win over Germany’s Andreas Beck.

Third-seeded Croatian Marin Cilic and number seven Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia also moved through and will clash in the quarter-finals.

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