Sao Paulo, Feb 27 (IANS): German tennis player Tommy Haas lived up to his top billing as he beat qualifier Potito Starace 7-6 (2), 6-3 to reach the Brazil Open ATP quarterfinals.
The other upset of Wednesday was second-seeded Nicolas Almagro of Spain, a three-time winner in the clay court, going down 6-3, 3-6, 2-6 Federico Delbonis of Argentina, reports Xinhua.
The 12th-ranked Haas served well throughout the match at the Ibirapuera arena, allowing only one break point to the Italian.
Both players held serve until the first-set tie-break, when Haas stepped up his game to easily clinch the set.
The German then broke Starace's serve two times in a row late in the second set to close out the match in 1 hour, 30 minutes.
Hass will next play Argentina's Horacio Zeballos, who defeated countryman Guido Pella 6-3, 6-4.