DEN BOSCH, Netherlands (AP)—Top-seeded Ivan Ljubicic made an early exit from the Unicef Open, losing to Alejandro Falla 6-2, 7-6 (6) on Tuesday.
Ljubicic had 12 aces but was defeated by Falla’s more consistent play. The 15th-ranked Croatian won the grass court tournament three years ago.
In other play, Xavier Malisse of Belgium reached the quarterfinals for a second straight week when he beat Daniel Brands 4-6, 6-1, 7-5. Malisse was within two points of losing the second-round match.
He made the final eight at Queen’s Club last week.
Benjamim Becker of Germany defeated Jarkko Nieminen of Finland 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, while Seventh-seeded Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia stopped Jeremy Chardy of France 6-3, 6-4.
In the women’s draw, third-seeded Maria Kirilenko retired with an abdominal injury against Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium, who was leading 6-3, 3-3.
Andrea Petkovic of Germany knocked out Ana Ivanovic of Serbia 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-1, and Sandra Zahlavova of the Czech Republic defeated Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-2.