Cilic sent packing, Del Potro stays in touch
PHILIPP KOHLSCHREIBER (pix) upset tournament number two Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-4 yesterday as Roger Federer became the only top-five seed still standing at the Indian Wells Masters.
“Our games match up well,” Germany’s Kohlschreiber said, after stunning the Croatian to reach the fourth round for a third time.
“I think my performance worked quite well from the start. Marin was maybe a bit nervous. I played aggressive at the crucial moments on the big points. That was also the key for a two-set win.
“My first match was a really tough battle with my opponent, with myself. I struggled a little bit more. Today, I tried to forget everything that happened.”
The winner spent just under 90 minutes in constructing his upset, which leaves Juan Martin del Potro on sixth as the next seed behind Switzerland’s Federer, a five-time tournament champion and world number one, who has won two titles this season and has not lost a match.
Del Potro stayed in the running by beating Spanish veteran David Ferrer 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) to next face Argentine countryman Leo Mayer, who beat Novak Djokovic’s conqueror Taro Daniel 6-4, 6-1.
“I just want to keep winning. It’s good for me to feel this confidence, when I’m getting to the court I’m playing well,’ the Argentine said. I’m still far away from the final, but of course any chance to play with Roger would be great.”
Pierre-Hugues Herbert advanced when French compatriot Gael Monfils retired trailing 6-2, 3-1 with a lower back injury. Former top five Milos Raonic of Canada scored a victory over Joao Sousa of Portugal 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 while Californian Sam Querrey beat India’s Yuki Bhambri 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-4. – dpa