Chardy Beats LI’s Rubin to Reach Delray Beach Quarterfinals
France’s Jeremy Chardy moved into the Delray Beach Open quarterfinals on Thursday, getting past Long Island’s Noah Rubin 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 10 minutes.
Chardy fell down a break early and was one point away from going down 0-3 and a double-break in the opening set, but the fifth-seeded Frenchman dug in and fought back. He would come back to hold in the third game, going on to win the first set 6-4.
In the second set, Chardy broke three times in his four chances to move past Rubin in straight sets.
In the quarterfinals, Chardy will take on good friend Juan Martin del Potro, the fan favorite at this year’s tournament as the Argentine makes his comeback after a year off on the tour.
Del Potro advanced to the final eight with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Australia’s John-Patrick Smith on Thursday.
“Physically I felt good,” del Potro said afterwards. “But I was playing too many slices. It’s not my game. If I improve my backhand, I will once again be the Tower of Tandil. I am so happy to be here, playing in front of my fans.”
While Chardy is seeking a spot in the semifinals with del Potro standing in his way, the Frenchman is happy to see his friend back on the tour.
“I was really happy for him to come back,” said Chardy. “For a tennis player, the worst is to be injured. It is great for the fans too. We need players like him on the tour.”
American Tim Smyczek reached the second ATP quarterfinal of his career, coming back from a set down to beat fellow American Donald Young 1-6, 7-6(2), 6-2.
Standing in Smyczek’s way of reaching his first career semifinal is another American Sam Querrey, who took out Austin Krajicek 6-4, 6-3 on Thursday.
