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1/12/11 8:01 PM | Ricky Dimon
Defending champion John Isner just barely scraped through his Auckland opener on Wednesday, overcoming Robin Haase in three sets. Isner is joined in the quarterfinals by David Nalbandian, a routine winner over Philipp Petzschner
(3) John Isner d. Robin Haase 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-5
Isner's title defense almost did not even get off the ground, but he battle from a set down to defeat Haase in two hours and 13 minutes at the Heineken Open on Wednesday evening. The 6'9'' American beat Arnaud Clement in last year's final for his first ATP triumph, but a dismal first set nearly saw the 2010 champion out in the second round. Haase broke serve twice in set one, including at 5-3 to finish it off in style.
Isner had to save five break points in the second just to prevent a straight-set defeat. Haase continued to dominate on his own serve, still not facing a single break point, but his opponent managed to force a tiebreaker. That's when the tide turned, as the Dutchman lost in seven points to four and never really recovered. Isner faced no break points in the third and converted his first break point of the entire day when it mattered most, on match point at 6-5. Next up for Auckland's No. 3 seed is a quarterfinal showdown against David Nalbandian.
(6) David Nalbandian d. Philipp Petzschner 6-3, 6-2
Whereas Isner struggled, Nalbandian raced into the last eight without dropping serve and needing just one hour and two minutes. The 27th-ranked Argentine fought through a relatively tough first set, saving four break points while capitalizing on one of two opportunities.
After serving out the opening frame of play at 5-3, Nalbandian was off to the races. He lost only four points in his last four service games and completely abused Petzschner's second serves. Two breaks were more than enough for the No. 6 seed to finish off the proceedings at 5-2. Nalbandian won 80 percent of his first-serve points and 65 percent of his second-serve return points.
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