Haas lifts his game in Masters Cup bid

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2007

STOCKHOLM (AFP) — Tommy Haas improved his chances for a spot in the season-ending championships, booking a quarter-final place at the Stockholm Open after a battle with Spain's Albert Montanes on Wednesday.

The German fourth seed took 93 minutes to carve out a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 second-round win at the Kungligahallen.

"I was lucky to get an early break in the third set," said the German. "I'm happy to be in the quarters.

"I haven't played that much lately but it will be good to have a day off tomorrow and get ready for the quarters. Everyone can play but it's only going to get tougher from here."

Number eight Spaniard Fernando Verdasco joined seeded compatriots David Ferrer and Tommy Robredo in withdrawing, his reason given as a wrist injury.

The...