Top-seeded defending champion Dominic Thiem of Austria advanced to the Argentina Open quarterfinals Thursday, beating Germany's Maximilian Marterer 6-4, 6-4. Thiem will next face Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas, a 6-4, 7-5 winner over Portugal's Joao Sousa.
Fourth-seeded Diego Schwartzman of Argentina beat Slovenia's Aljaz Bedene 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to set up a match against Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Ramos-Vinolas beat compatriot David Ferrer 3-6, 7-6 (9), 6-3.
Spain's David Ferrer, three-time champion of the ATP tournament in Buenos Aires, was eliminated in the second round by his compatriot Albert Ramos Viñolas by 3-6, 7-6 (11/9) and 6-3, in an emotional duel. In the final stretch of his career, with physical ailments that prevent him from performing his best, Ferrer lost out on victory in the closing points.
Ferrer said he will retire in May at the Madrid Open. The participation in the Buenos Aires tournament is one of the last of the 36-year-old's career.
"It was a close enough match, and I gave everything that I had. I am finishing my last matches at a high level, and still feel the love from fans. I have wonderful memories from Buenos Aires, and I will miss this competition a lot," Ferrer said at a press conference in Buenos Aires. "Tennis gave me a lot, but I can not take it anymore. I never thought I could do everything that I have achieved," added the Javea tennis player.
-TIMES/AP/AFP
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