Second-seeded Argentine Guido Pella was made to work late Thursday, as he battled past qualifier Facundo Bagnis in a three-hour slugfest.
In a match that saw crowd allegiance divided between both men, it was the more experienced Pella who overcame his compatriot 7-6(2) 6-7(2) 6-4 in three hours and 13 minutes. Bagnis required a medical time-out at the start of the final set, as both players upped their intensity. However, the qualifier was unable to prevent his higher-seeded countryman from breaking him twice to secure the victory.
Argentine Juan Ignacio Londero continues
his amazing run in Buenos Aires, prevailing against sixth seed Laslo Djere to advance to the quartferfinals. The local favorite required two hours to upset the Serbian 6-7(3) 6-2 6-1, saving both break points faced.
Djere hit an unforgivable nine double faults and was unable to overcome the partisan home crowd. Furthermore, Londero was able to
avenge his quarterfinal loss from last week's Cordoba Open. He next faces
Guido Pella, the man he defeated to win his maiden ATP-Tour level title in Cordoba last year.
Clay-court specialist Pablo Cuevas upset seventh seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-4 4-6 6-4 in two hours and 40 minutes. The Spaniard was only able to convert 3 of his 13 break points, and has lost his last seven matches against Cuevas.
The Uruguayan faces Argentine Diego Schwartzman, who overcame a mid-game slump to fight past countryman Federico Delbonis 6-3 4-6 6-2. The top seed committed nine double faults, winning only an abysmal 38% of points on his second serve. He somehow was able to save eight break points and win the match, as Delbonis was left to rue his missed opportunities.
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