AFP, Kuala Lumpur :
German Benjamin Becker persevered through early struggles to outlast his sixth seeded French rival Jeremy Chardy 5-7, 6-1, 7-5 in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday at the Malaysian Open, which sees the 34-year-old advance into his first ATP World Tour quarter-final of the season.
Chardy’s strong record on the hardcourt had made the French player an early favourite in the tournament.
However, Becker fought hard to claim his 10th tour-level win of the season as he prevailed in two hours and six minutes, withstanding 13 aces and breaking his French opponent four times.
After losing the first, the German dominated in the second set with his precise forehand returns to level proceedings, before clinching the match in the third.
“I’ve lost in a few close matches before, so it was good to get the win and it helps my game and confidence,” Beck, who is bidding for his first ATP title since 2009, told reporters.
For the second year in a row, Becker has secured a quarter-final berth at the Malaysian Open.
Meanwhile, defending champion Joao Sousa of Portugal scored a commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory over Poland’s Michal Przysiezny to advance into the quarters.
