Tomas Berdych and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga power on in Montpellier as David Goffin crashes out
Tomas Berdych laid down an impressive marker at the Open Sud de France by comprehensively dismissing Benoit Paire 6-2 6-0 to reach the quarter-finals.
The Czech won the tournament in 2012 but is unseeded this time around, but was in devastating form in Montpellier.
Berdych will now face Filip Krajinovic, who dismissed second seed David Goffin 6-4 6-4 despite having to withstand 11 aces and four break points.
Paire’s defeat was grim news for the home crowds, but they were lifted by wins for Jeremy Chardy and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Chardy, the sixth seed, served nine aces along the way as he beat experienced countryman Antoine Hoang 6-3 7-5.
Tsonga, meanwhile, battled to an impressive 6-2 7-6 (7-3) success over fourth seed Gilles Simon.
“I am very happy to win this match. It was something great at a good level. I hope I will be able to go far in this tournament”, said Tsonga, who is unseeded after seeing his ranking decimated by injury.
Marcos Baghdatis beat Ruben Bemelmans 6-2 6-4 to set up a clash with recent Australian Open semi-finalist Lucas Pouille, while Ilya Ivashka beat Italian Thomas Fabbiano 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
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