Kohlschreiber, Almagro reach quarterfinals of BA Trophy in Vienna

Kohlschreiber, Almagro reach Vienna quarterfinals

VIENNA — Second-seeded Radek Stepanek stayed on course for his third ATP title this season, defeating Frederico Gil 6-2, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals of the BA Trophy on Wednesday.

Janko Tipsarevic defeated eighth-seeded John Isner of the United States 7-6 (4), 6-4. The Serb, who reached his first career final in Moscow last week, managed only four points off Isner’s serve in the opening set before winning the tiebreaker.

“I never ever saw Isner hit one ball before the match … had no idea how he was playing,” Tipsarevic said. “He has a good forehand from the spot. I didn’t play well in the first set as I didn’t make him move enough.”

Tipsarevic used his fifth break point in the second to close out the match with a backhand winner.

Philipp Kohlschreiber and Nicolas Almagro also reached the quarterfinals.

The 14th-ranked Stepanek was in control throughout and faced no break points. In the quarterfinals, the Czech plays either Jurgen Melzer or Dominik Hrbaty, who beat Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo 6-3, 6-4 in a first-round match Wednesday.

The fourth-seeded Kohlschreiber reached his fifth ATP quarterfinal of the season when Victor Crivoi of Romania retired with a shoulder injury while trailing 6-2, 3-0. Kohlschreiber conceded only five points on serve and broke Crivoi four times.

The German next plays Almagro, who defeated Wayne Odesnik of the United States 6-4, 6-4. Almagro faced no break points and broke Odesnik once in each set.

In the first round, 2008 finalist Gael Monfils edged Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-5, 6-4. The third-seeded Frenchman, who won his second career title in his native Metz last month, held serve throughout. Garcia-Lopez double-faulted on Monfils’ third match point.

“I haven’t much practice behind me … Physically I have to improve,” said Monfils, who retained his slim chance of qualifying for the season-ending ATP finals.

Also, Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia defeated Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo of Spain 6-3, 6-4 and will take on Jurgen Melzer of Austria in the second round.

Daniel Koellerer cruised past Jarkko Nieminen 6-1, 6-2 and will play 2004 champion Feliciano Lopez in the second round.