Ginepri topples Robredo to reach Madrid quarter-finals

MADRID, Oct 19 (Reuters) Unseeded Robby Ginepri toppled world number eight Tommy Robredo 6-3 7-6 to earn himself a place in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Masters today.

The powerfully built American, who lost to eventual winner Rafael Nadal in last year's tournament, put the Spaniard under early pressure, breaking in the second game and then holding his serve with ease to take the first set 6-3.

He kept Robredo on the back foot in the second to take a 5-4 lead, but the seventh seed refused to fold and broke back to love when Ginepri was serving for the match.

The set went to a tie-break and it was Ginepri who won through 7-3 to earn himself a quarter-final showdown against the winner of the third round match between world number one Roger Federer and Sweden's Robin Soderling.

Spain has had a bad week in Madrid, but local fans still have strong hopes that their only remaining representative Nadal will bring them a home triumph.

Nadal, who claimed a comfortable straight sets victory over Mardy Fish in the second round yesterday, takes on 13th seeded German Tommy Haas later today.

British number one Andy Murray will be looking to build on his impressive victory over third seed Ivan Ljubicic when he meets Novak Djokovic of Serbia, while fellow countryman Tim Henman meets fourth seeded Argentine David Nalbandian.

Sixth seed Andy Roddick faces Czech Tomas Berdych.

REUTERS PM BD1635