Haas first player through to Stockholm Open quarters

STOCKHOLM, Oct 11 (Reuters) Fourth seed Tommy Haas became the first man through to the Stockholm Open quarter-finals beating Spaniard Albert Montanes 6-2 3-6 6-3.

Claycourt specialist Montanes, coming off his first ever indoor win in the first round against Rohan Bopanna, provided surprisingly tough resistance for the German world number 12.

A break for a 3-1 lead in the deciding set proved to be enough for Haas yesterday, who then held serve to seal a place in the last eight.

''I think he played very well, and I'm happy to be through to the quarters,'' the former world number two told reporters.

''I don't know if I'm moving as well as I want to, especially coming in, but overall I'm actually pretty pleased with the way I've been hitting the ball,'' added Haas.

Haas broke Montanes in the fifth and seventh game and then wrapped up the first set by serving out to love.

That did not discourage Montanes, who broke Haas for a 4-2 lead in the second set. At 5-3 the Spaniard took advantage of some sloppy play by Haas to take the match into a decider, levelling the score on his second set point.

But in the decisive set Haas showed his class by breaking Montanes to love for the 3-1 lead. The German then comfortably held his serve to seal the win.

REUTERS BJR RAI1003