By Tennis Now | Thursday, July 20, 2017

Karen Khachanov rode a stiff dose of defiance in the Bastad quarterfinals.

The fifth-seeded Russian saved match points in the 10th and 12th games edging Ernests Gulbis, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3, a in a two hour, 38 minute battle.

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"I was trying to be all the time in the match, fighting," Khachanov said. "He was playing really good without any downs only ups.

"At the end, I was staying there. I got the win, so I'm very happy."

Khachanov raised his record to 19-18 on the season.

The 33rd-ranked Russian is into his fourth quarterfinal of the season at the Skistar Swedish Open.

Khachanov will face Alexandr Dolgopolov for a semifinal spot.

Dolgopolov defeated left-handed Horacio Zeballos, 6-4, 6-4.

The Ukrainian converted four of 10 break points in an 88-minute victory.

Second-seeded Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas launched defense of his Bastad title fending off Brazilian Thiago Monteiro, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, in the first meeting between the pair.

Monte Carlo finalist Ramos-Vinolas saved six of eight break points in a two hour, nine minute triumph.




That victory sets up a rematch of the 2016 Swedish Skistar Open final between compatriots Ramos-Vinolas and Fernando Verdasco.

The sixth-seeded Verdasco swept aside unseeded Argentine Facundo Bagnis, 6-3, 6-2, in 72 minutes.

The match was a rematch of the 2016 Bastad quarterfinals, which Verdasco won, 6-2, 6-1.