CHENNAI, India -- Last year's runner-up Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland and gritty Serb Janko Tipsarevic posted second-round victories at the $450,000 Chennai Open, a hardcourt Australian Open tuneup.
The third-seeded Wawrinka was tested Thursday, as he snuck past 20-year-old Belgian qualifier David Goffin in a pair of tiebreaks, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-3), while the sixth-seeded Tipsarevic got past Russian qualifier Alexandre Kudryavtsev 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) at SDAT Tennis Stadium.
Wawrinka struck seven aces and needed just under two hours to dismiss a game Goffin, while Tipsarevic popped seven aces and broke Kudryavtsev on two occasions. Kudryavtsev failed to enjoy even one break-point chance against Tipsarevic, who reached the quarters here for a third straight year.
The hard-hitting Wawrinka lost to Croat Marin Cilic in last year's hard- hitting Chennai finale.
Wawrinka's quarterfinal opponent on Friday will be capable Dutchman Robin Haase, while Tipsarevic will take on Japan's Kei Nishikori.
Another seeded victor on Day 4 was the No. 8 Haase, as the promising Dutchman overcame Japanese qualifier Yuichi Sugita 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. The aforementioned Nishikori came back to beat dangerous Colombian Alejandro Falla 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Friday's other quarters will pit top-seeded Wimbledon runner-up Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic against Slovenian Blaz Kavcic and seventh-seeded former Chennai champion Xavier Malisse versus speedy German Bjorn Phau. The Belgian Malisse captured this event in 2007.
This week's champion will claim $68,850.
