Nadal survives Haas test to reach last eight

CINCINNATI, Aug 17 (Reuters) Second seed Rafael Nadal survived a tough test of his title credentials as he beat German Tommy Haas 7-6 6-3 today to reach the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters Series event.

The Spaniard, beaten in the third round last week in Toronto, edged the first set before breaking Haas in the eighth game and serving out for victory.

The French Open champion will play former Roland Garros champion Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain in the last eight. Ferrero beat Swede Robin Soderling 7-5 6-4.

Less than 24 hours after the shock defeat of world number one Roger Federer by Scottish teenager Andy Murray, Nadal found himself in a dogfight in the opening set, having been 3-1 up.

Haas, who had treatment for a blister on his left foot, led 5-3 in the tiebreak but Nadal won four consecutive points to take the set.

Games went with serve in the second set until the eighth game when Nadal lifted his level to break to love and though Haas forced a break point in the next game, Nadal held on to advance to the last eight.

Earlier, fourth seed Ivan Ljubicic eased into the quarter-finals with a 7-5 6-4 win over Dominik Hrbaty, the Slovakian 16th seed.

In the last eight, Ljubicic will meet either seventh seed Tommy Robredo of Spain or unseeded Frenchman Florent Serra.

Murray takes on American Robby Ginepri, a semi-finalist at the US Open last year, in the third round later today.

REUTERS PDS PM0101