UMAG, Croatia (AP) — Former champion Fernando Verdasco of Spain defeated Ernests Gulbis of Latvia 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 to reach the Croatia Open quarterfinals on Thursday.
Verdasco, the top seed and 2008 champ, converted five of 18 break points in the second-round victory.
Gulbis served eight aces but could not overcome Verdasco, who picked up his game in the third set.
Verdasco will face either Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia or Mate Pavic of Croatia. Pavic ousted second-seeded countryman Marin Cilic.
Fifth-seeded Carlos Berlocq beat fellow Argentine Marco Trungelliti 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-1. Berlocq converted eight of 16 break points, but his five double faults helped to keep Trungelliti in it.
