By Chris Oddo | Thursday February 23, 2017
Alexander Dolgopolov fought off Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos in Rio for his seventh consecutive victory and a trip to the quarterfinals.
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The Ukrainian, who entered last week’s Buenos Aires draw having lost 10 of his last 11 matches, has dropped just one of his last 15 sets.
That came on Thursday against 31-year-old Zeballos, but Dolgopolov was able to rebound in the decider, breaking twice to clinch his win in two hours and 15 minutes.
The World No.50 will square off with No.4-seeded Pablo Carreno Busta in Friday’s quarterfinals.
18-year-old Norwegian Casper Ruud continued his dream run in Rio with a 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3) victory over Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena. Ruud, who won his first ATP match this week when he defeated Rogerio Dutra Silva in the first round, will face 22-year-old Thiago Monteiro in the quarterfinals.
Monteiro has now reached back-to-back quarterfinals after defeating Thomaz Bellucci, 7-6(8), 3-6, 6-3. The World No.85 saved three set points in the first set then took control in the decider to take down his friend and compatriot.