ATP stars Federer, Nalbandian, Del Potro, Blake advance in Switzerland

The four seeded players that were featured in the five scheduled matches on Thursday at the Davidoff Swiss Indoors in Basel all advanced to the quarterfinals. Hometown product Roger Federer (pictured), Argentine players David Nalbandian and Juan Martin Del Potro and American James Blake were the four seeded players to advance to the quarterfinals.

Struggling through his first round match against American Bobby Reynolds, No. 1 Federer again found himself in trouble many times against Jarkko Nieminen, but was able to advance by winning, 7-6(6), 7-6(1). Nieminen who falls to 0-10 against Federer and has yet to win a set in ten matches against the legendary Swiss player, served for the first set at 5-4 but was broken before losing in a tiebreak. Federer hammered 11 aces past Nieminen, but was broken three times throughout the match including twice in consecutive service games in the opening set.

“It sends shocks through you when you get broken back to back, takes away a little confidence. It's a sign that if you're opponent can break you twice he can break you more often. That's why I knew it was going to be a tough night despite my good record against him. He hit some great passing shots and made me work hard tonight,” said Federer.

With his victory today, Federer improves to 60-13 on the year, which has been highlighted by winning the US Open in September and titles in Estoril and Halle. Federer also finished as runner-up at the French Open, Wimbledon and two Masters Series events. Federer will next clash with Italian Simone Bolelli, a 6-4, 6-2, winner over Marcel Granollers of Spain.

No. 2 Nalbandian survived a scare against Belgian Kristof Vliegen, winning in over two hours, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(4). The Argentine, who is now 20-4 in Basel, is chasing his third singles title of the year after already winning in Buenos Aires and Stockholm. The 26-year-old won the Basel title in his debut in 2002 and has also reached the finals twice. Currently ranked No. 8 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, Nalbandian improves to 37-14 on the season and earns his first career victory against Vliegen, who won their only other previous meeting on clay in Barcelona in 2004. In the quarterfinals, the former Wimbledon runner-up will meet German qualifier Benjamin Becker.

No. 3 seed Del Potro had little trouble getting past Swiss wild card Stephane Bohli, 6-3, 6-3. The talented young Argentine, who is on track to qualify for the Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai, smashed six aces past Bohli, while losing only five points on his powerful first serve. In a year in which he has won four singles titles and currently owns a career best No. 9 ranking, Del Potro improves to 43-11 on the season. He next faces Russian No. 6 seed Igor Andreev in the quarterfinals.

No. 4 Blake continued his successful play in Basel as he defeated Spaniard Oscar Hernandez, 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-4, in just over two hours. Blake hammered an outstanding 17 aces and won 80 percent of points on his serve throughout the three set battle. With his second round victory, Blake advances to his 12th quarterfinal of the year and improves his record to 45-22. Currently ranked No. 11, Blake reached the finals earlier this year in Delray Beach and Houston, while also reaching the Bronze Medal match at the Beijing Olympics in August. The American will face Spaniard Feliciano Lopez on Friday for a spot in the semifinals.