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London boost for Tsonga, Tipsarevic wins in Russia

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is through to the quarter-finals of the Erste Open in Austria. © PA Photos

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Jo-Wilfried Tsonga survived an early scare to book his place in the quarter-finals of the Erste Open in Austria.

Tsonga, chasing qualification for the ATP World Tour Finals in London next month, lost the opening set to Jarkko Nieminen but was on course for victory when his Finnish opponent retired with the scores at 3-6 6-1 3-1.

Tsonga looked to be in trouble after dropping the opening set to Nieminen, who lost to Frenchman Gael Monfils in the Stockholm Open final on Sunday. But Tsonga justified his billing as top seed, bouncing back to level proceedings.

Clearly feeling the effects of a busy schedule in recent weeks, Nieminen was struggling with a thigh injury, and after Tsonga grabbed an early break in the decider, the Finn offered his hand in surrender. Next up for Tsonga is Belgian Xavier Malisse, who needed three sets to beat eighth seed Fabio Fognini 6-7(3) 6-3 6-3.

Two-time defending champion Jurgen Melzer began the defence of his title with a 7-5 6-1 win over Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez. German Tommy Haas reached his first ATP Tour quarter-final in over two years after coming from behind to defeat Aljaz Bedene 4-6 6-4 6-1 to set up a quarter-final clash with second seed Juan Martin del Potro.

Meanwhile, at the St Petersburg Open, Janko Tipsarevic kept his hopes of qualifying for London alive with victory over Michael Berrer. Tipsarevic was leading 6-3 2-0 when the German retired feeling unwell. The Serb, who will now overtake Robin Soderling and Juan Martin del Potro in the race to qualify for London, will face Potito Starace in the quarter-finals after the Italian upset eighth seed Dmitry Tursunov 6-2 6-4.

Fourth seed Marin Cilic hit 13 aces in a 5-7 6-1 6-3 win over Indian Somdev Devvarman, while Alex Bogomolov Jr also progressed with a 6-4 3-6 7-5 win over Philipp Kohlschreiber.

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