HUNGARIAN lucky loser, Attila Balazs has triumphed in a come-from-behind win over Brazil’s sole remaining hope, Thiago Monteiro 1-6 6-1 6-4. Balazs was one of four winners yesterday as third seed Cristian Garin progressed along with a couple of qualifiers who also booked their spot in the quarter finals.

Balazs took an hour and 51 minutes to knock off Monteiro on his home court, coming from a disastrous first set to return serve with a dominant second set of his own, then creating a crucial break in the third set to round it out. He weathered 12 aces from Monteiro who looked comfortable on clay, but the Hungarian was more consistent on both his first (70 per cent) and second (47 per cent) serve points, and broke five times to four during the match. His return rating was much higher than the Brazilian who toppled him on the serve rating, but in the end, consistency won out and the Hungarian progressed to the final eight.

Balazs now moves through to take on Spanish qualifier, Pedro Martinez who defeated compatriot, Pablo Andujar 6-1 6-4, while Federico Coria had a victory over another Spaniard in Carlos Alcaraz. In the other other match, Garin had no troubles against Argentinian Federico Delbonis 6-4 6-3.

ROUND OF 16 RESULTS:

[3] C. Garin (CHI) defeated F. Delbonis (ARG) 6-4 6-3
[LL] A. Balazs (HUN) defeated T. Monteiro (BRA) 1-6 6-1 6-4
[Q] F. Coria (ARG) defeated [WC] C. Alcaraz (ESP) 6-4 4-6 6-4
[Q] P. Martinez (ESP) defeated P. Andujar (ESP) 6-1 6-4