DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Pinatibay nina defending champion Novak Djokovic at top-seeded Andy Murray ang kani-kanilang kampanya sa impresibong panalo para makausad sa quarterfinal ng Qatar Open nitong Miyerkules (Huwebes sa Manila).
Pinatalsik ni Djokovic, 12-time Grand Slam champion, si Horacio Zeballos ng Argentina, 6-3, 6-4, bago pinaunlakan ang hiling ng karibal para sa ‘selfie’ sac enter court.
“I just have to mention making a selfie after the match was over, that was the first time that I ever had this kind of experience in my career,” pahayag ni Djokovic. “So, Horacio, well done. Very original.”
Dumanas naman ng matinding hamon si Murray bago napabagsak si Gerald Melzer ng Austria, nakababatang kapatid ng dating world No. 8 na si Jurgen Melzer, 7-6 (6) 7-5.
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“He played great, great tennis and was dominating large parts of the match,” pahayag ni Murray sa post-game interview. “He made it extremely, extremely difficult. I was a bit lucky to through in two sets today.
Makakaharap ni Murray, two-time champion dito, si Nicolas Almagro ng Spain sa quarterfinal, habang mapapalaban si Djokovic kay qualifier Radek Stepanek ng Czech Republic.
Sa edad na 38, si Stepanek, umabot sa No.8 ranking noong 2006,ang pinakamatandang player sa ATP Tour na umabot sa quarterfinal mula nang magawa ng 42-anyos na si Jimmy Connors noong 1995 Halle tournament.
Nadomina ni Stepanek si wildcard entrant Arthur De Greef ng Belgium 6-3, 6-2.
Umusad din si Spaniard Fernando Verdasco nang magwagi kay fourth-seeded David Goffin ng Belgium 6-1, 7-6 (6).
Makakaharap niya si sixth-seeded Ivo Karlovic ng Croatia.
