Novak Djokovic crushed Lukasz Kubot 6-2, 6-4 at the Swiss Indoors as the top seed showed on Thursday that his untouchable form is rapidly returning after six weeks out with injury.
Djokovic, who had to struggle in his opening match over three sets, was absolutely untroubled by the Polish qualifier ranked 64th in the world, moving into the quarterfinals in just 54 minutes.
Champion in 2009 and a losing finalist against Roger Federer in 2010, Djokovic will now face the in-form Florian Mayer, who followed up a third-round upset of Rafael Nadal in Shanghai with a 6-3, 6-1 defeat of Ivan Ljubicic.
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“I'm surprised by this win, but I have so much confidence from beating Nadal. I know on my best game I can defeat anyone,” said the 22nd-ranked Mayer.
Nishikori advances
Japan's Kei Nishikori continued his Shanghai momentum after a run to the semifinals in China.
The 21-year-old, who stands as Asia's best-ranked player with a 32nd ranking, easily overcame Italian Andreas Seppi 6-3, 7-6(4).
The week ended early for American James Blake, with the 31-year-old exiting at the hands of Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3, 6-4. On Wednesday, Roger Federer needed 10 aces and a fighting finish in a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 win over Finland's Jarkko Nieminen which secured his place in the quarterfinals.
Bopanna & Qureshi lose
Rohan Bopanna and Aisam Qureshi, the fourth seeds, crashed out of the Valencia Open on Thursday, falling 0-6, 6-4, 10-8 to Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares. In singles play, second seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was upset 7-6(5), 6-2 by Sam Querrey in the second round. Juan Monaco advanced with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Fabio Fognini.
The results: In Valencia (Valencia Open): Second round: Juan Monaco bt Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-1; Sam Querrey bt Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6(5), 6-2.
In Basel (Swiss Indoors): Second round: Kei Nishikori bt Andreas Seppi 6-3, 7-6(4); Florian Mayer bt Ivan Ljubicic 6-3, 6-1; Novak Djokovic bt Lukasz Kubot 6-2, 6-4; Mikhail Kukushkin bt James Blake 6-3, 6-4.
Marcos Baghdatis bt Michael Lammer 7-6(2), 6-7(2), 6-3; Roger Federer bt Jarkko Nieminen 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.
First round: Andy Roddick bt Tommy Haas 6-3, 6-4; Radek Stepanek bt Santoago Giraldo 6-1, 6-3. Doubles: First round: Xavier Malisse & Dick Norman bt Mahesh Bhupathi & Michal Mertinak 5-7, 6-3, 11-9.