Top seed David Ferrer and second seed Kei Nishikori were upset victims at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel on Wednesday. Alexandr Dolgopolov stunned the top seed with a dazzling display that sends him through to the quarterfinals.
Dolgpolov Flogs Ferrer
The Abierto Mexicano Telcel is left with just three seeded players are an upset-laden Wednesday saw the top two seeds fall. Alexandr Dolgopolov scored the first stunner as he beat top seed David Ferrer for just the third time in eleven tries. Dolgopolov dropped his first service game to hand Ferrer a quick 2-0 lead, but the Ukrainian didn't flinch as he broke back to get back on serve in the next game. From there, Dolgopolov would not be troubled on serve as the Spaniard was constantly fighting to stay in his own service games. Ferrer fought off three break points in a testy 7th game, but could not save a 5th break point in the 9th game to see Dolgopolov lead 5-4. The "Dog" would serve out the set at 6-4.
The second set saw both players survive a pair of break points in their second service games as the score eased out to 2-2. Another exchange of holds would see the score at 3-3 when Dolgopolov made the huge breakthrough to secure a 4-3 lead. He would consolidate, but need four match points to put Ferrer away in the final game. Dolgopolov would close the set and match with a 6-4 win in the set.
For the match, Dolgopolov was in control from the baseline as he whipped 22 winners. Following the match, the Ukrainian said that he never felt any pressure in the match, “I think I was quite calm. I was happy I’m on court because I was injured last week. That was the key I think. I played relaxed and the pressure was more on him. I was aggressive and went for my shots. They were the key points."
Querrey Squashes Nishikori
The second big upset of the night came when red hot Sam Querrey smashed second seed Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-3. Nishikori struggled from the opening ball as he would crack on his first service game to give the Delray Beach champion a fast 2-0 lead. Querrey settled into a good rhythm over the next three service games to cruise to a 5-3 lead. With the set on his racquet though, the pressure caught him as Nishikori amped up his return game to break the American at-love. The tide would not turn however as the second seed would struggle on serve in an attempt to even the set. Querrey would break back to close out the set. Nishikori rarely touched the Querrey first serve in the set with the American winning 13 of 16 points. The second seed fought to find his consistency on serve in the set, only landing 50 percent of his first serves. That allowed Querrey to take some key points on second serves.
In the second set, Nishikori was under the gun immediately. After a quick Querrey hold, the second seed fell behind in his service game again as he could not land first serves. Nishikori would be broken in a familiar pattern as he landed just 40 percent of his first serves in the set. Querrey would take 11 of 21 second serve points in the second. Querrey combined that with a stellar first serve that dominated to win 15 of 16 points to carry the American to his 7th straight victory. The win also broke a four game losing streak to Nishikori for the American, who had lost to Japan's top man at the Memphis Open earlier this month.
Thiem, Tomic and Dimitrov Avoid Trouble
The other three seeds in action on Wednesday were able to advance. Fourth seed Dominic Thiem had a battle on his hands with Dmitry Tursunov. The Russian took an early break lead in the first set, but Thiem fought back to get on serve and force a tiebreak. The Austrian would fall behind a set though as the Russian took the break 7-5. Thiem settled in quickly in the second as his serve was solid, allowing him to find an opening where be would break the Russian at-love in game six. Thiem would roar back to take the second 6-3 and close the match 6-4 in the third set. The fourth seed's first serve was a huge weapon in securing the win as he won 42 of 52 points.
Fifth seed Bernard Tomic found himself down early to Adrian Mannarino in second round action. The Aussie would bounce back from an early break though as he won six of the last eight games in the opening set. Tomic would be in control from there for a 6-4, 6-4 win. Grigor Dimitrov struggled early in his match against Donald Young, but was able to save six out of six break points in the opening set.
That left him waiting for an opportunity, which he found in the 8th game, to break Young to take a 5-3 lead. Dimitrov would close out the set in the next game 6-3. The second set would see the two exchange breaks within the first four games. Dimitrov would add a second break in game five that provided him with the decisive margin to work his way into the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-4 win.
Fritz Leads Other Winners
Among the other three winners on the day, American Taylor Fritz continued to stand out. The 18-year-old qualifier flew past Victor Estrella Burgos 6-1, 6-3. Fritz won 58 percent of the points off of the Dominican's serve, breaking him five times. Fellow American Ryan Harrison blew a golden opportunity to get to an ATP 500 level quarterfinal. Harrison was up a break in the third, but could not finish the job as Illya Marchenko rallied to win 7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-6 (5). Robin Haase also advanced to the quarterfinals in a three set grinder against Aljaz Bedene. The Dutchman prevailed in a tight match 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-4.
Thursday's Quarterfinals
Play is scheduled to begin with 5th seed Bernard Tomic taking on Illya Marchenko in the first quarterfinal. The most anticipated match will be third up on Cancha Central with 4th seed Dominic Thiem and 7th seed Grigor Dimitrov going head-to-head for the first time. The night finishes with an All-American match pitting Taylor Fritz against Sam Querrey.