STOCKHOLM, AAP – Bernard Tomic has stunned third seed Kevin Anderson to storm into the quarterfinals of the Stockholm Open.
Tomic, who has endured a tricky season which has been hampered by hip injuries, was too strong for the towering South African, triumphing 7-6(4) 6-4 in under 90 minutes.
It was his third straight victory over Anderson, dating back to 2011.
His first-round victory in Stockholm was his first main-draw win since withdrawing from the US Open in August, but the improved showing against world No.17 Anderson will give the 21-year-old confidence as the season draws to a close.
Tomic saved three break points in the first set to force a tiebreak, which he won 7-4 before closing out the game in straight sets.
He will now face another stern test in the quarters where he will come up against the seventh-seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.
Verdasco, who eliminated Australia’s Marinko Matosevic in the opening round, overpowered Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen in their second round matchup 6-3 6-4.
”WAY TO GO BERNIE,” I’M SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!! This win really helps your confidence no end.A win over Fernando Verdasco would really set you up strongely for a good finish at this tournament. You don’t have that many points to defend for the remainder of the season,so you’ll be able to play with more freedom GO GET EM BERNIE.!!!
ANOTHER GOOD WIN TODAY BERNIE!!!! To turn the match around after losing 06 showed that great fighting aussie spirit ,GO BERNIE GO!!!! I’m so happy and proud of you,Verdasco is a tough opponent.Next up is Grigor Dimitrov,SHOW NO FEAR BERNIE!!!! ALWAYS PROUDLY SUPPORTING ANOTHER FELLOW AUSTRALIAN. AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI!!!!