Gasquet Fights Off Almagro; Murray,Ferrer into Miami Quarters

Richard Gasquet reached the final eight of the Sony Open Tennis event for the first time in his career. Andy Murray and David Ferrer also reached the quarters.

By Erik Gudris

March 26th, 2013) -- To borrow a phrase from the NCAA "March Madness" basketball tournament going on right now, Richard Gasquet finds himself in the elite eight at the Sony Open Tennis event for the first time in his career.

But to get there, he had to fight back from a slow start against Spain's Nicolas Almagro in their fourth round encounter that became a true feast for those who love to watch one-handed backhands in action. Almagro jumped out to a double break lead only to watch Gasquet storm back to 4-all after Almagro sent a forehand long in an extra long rally when down break point.

But the Spaniard didn't give in as he survived two set points against him before sending the set into a tiebreak. Almagro stepped up in the breaker and closed it out with a big serve seven points to three.

Both men stayed even with each other in the second set that featured plenty of one-handed backhand exchanges along with probing forehands from both men. Gasquet earned a late break of serve and went on to win the set 7-5 with a stylish serve and volley combination.

The highlight of the match came in the third set when, at 3-all, Gasquet hit an exquisite backhand down the line winner to secure break point. Gasquet converted for 4-3 but then surrendered the break back right away. With Almagro and Gasquet each roaring with gusto to pump themselves up, it was probably fitting that both men were compelled to play a final set tiebreak to decide it.

But unlike the first set, now it was Gasquet who stepped up his play while Almagro got off to a horrible start by losing the first four points. The Frenchman helped his cause by hitting three timely aces, including a final 17th on match point, to clinch the 6-7(3), 7-5, 7-6(3) win.

For Gasquet, who was known earlier in his career for being someone who would let the fight get to him, instead he's now relishing the fight and it shows in his results this season. He's now 20-4 so far in 2013 where by comparison it took him until Roland Garros last year to earn that milestone win.

"It was a big match. We are close in the rankings," said Gasquet afterwards. "So I knew I had to fight my best to win it. It was tough. I had two set points in the first set and I didn't do it. But I fight a lot and I fight as much as I could and I am really happy with the way I played and it was a big victory for me."

Gasquet will next face Tomas Berdych who didn't suffer any of the dramatics as he did in his previous match yesterday. Berdych wiped out American Sam Querrey 6-1, 6-1 in just 51 minutes.

Ferrer, Murray Advance into Quarters

Earlier in the day, No. 3 seed David Ferrer fought off a late charge by Japan's Kei Nishikori in their fourth round match. Ferrer was up 5-2 in the set before Nishikori got back on serve for 4-5. But Ferrer broke Nishikori in the next game to close out the set and then went on to win 6-4, 6-2.

Ferrer will next face veteran Jurgen Melzer who came back from a set down to beat Spain's Albert Ramos 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.

No. 2 seed Andy Murray appeared to deal with a minor leg issue in his fourth round match against Italy's Andreas Seppi. But that didn't stop Murray from winding up a 6-2, 6-4 win. Murray will next face Marin Cilic who beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-5, 7-6(4).

(Photo Credit: AP)