NICE, France (AP)—Olivier Rochus of Belgium rallied to upset top-seeded Robin Soderling 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 Wednesday and reach the quarterfinals of the Open de Nice.
Despite serving 15 aces, Soderling was broken three times.
“We knew it was going to be difficult from the beginning,” Soderling’s coach Magnus Norman said. “Robin is not feeling the ball 100 percent, and he doesn’t have the confidence he’d like to have. Off course it’s not the preparation he wants going to a big tournament.”
The French Open start Sunday in Paris. Last year, Soderling reached the final at Roland Garros before losing to Roger Federer.
Rochus, who reached his first quarterfinals of the season, will play Richard Gasquet of France, who defeated Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine 6-0, 2-6, 6-3.
Second-seeded Fernando Verdasco of Spain cruised into the quarters with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Frenchman Florent Serra.
Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus also advanced with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Simon Greul of Germany after converting three of his five break point chances.
“I’m feeling good on court and I’m finding solutions to win,” Baghdatis said after giving up only nine points on his serve. “I’m clever on court, and I’m happy with that.”
Baghdatis will face Leonardo Mayer of Argentina, who beat Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil 6-4, 6-1 to avenge a loss in Rome last month.
Potito Starace of Italy ousted Lukasz Kubot 6-3, 6-4.