Second-seeded Juergen Melzer of Austria has beaten Jan Hajek of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-0 to gain the Croatia Open quarterfinals. Melzer had a bye in the first round and will play his quarterfinal against Andreas Seppi of Italy later Friday because his second-round match was postponed from Thursday by rain.
Andy Murray had to go the distance in his Los Angeles debut, beating American qualifier Tim Smyczek 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 on Thursday night in a second-round match at the Farmers Classic. The top-seeded Scot received a wild-card into the event after world No. 2 Novak Djokovic withdrew last week because of personal reasons.
Marion Bartoli, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka advanced to the quarterfinals of the Bank of the West Classic. Shahar Peer, another seeded player, wasn't as fortunate Thursday The fourth-seeded Bartoli beat former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic, 6-3, 6-4, for her eighth consecutive victory at the event and 10th win in her last 13 matches.
