Del Potro forced to withdraw in Austria

Oct 9, 2008 - 6:37 PM VIENNA, Austria (Ticker) -- What appeared to be another promising week for Juan Martin del Potro ended in disappointment.

The third-seeded Argentine was forced to withdraw from the Bank Austria-Tennis Trophy on Thursday due to a toe injury on his right foot.

Del Potro opened this hardcourt event on Wednesday with a victory over Austrian wild card Martin Fischer, a win that guaranteed him the No. 8 ranking when the updated standings are released Monday.

The 20-year-old was ranked as low as 81st earlier this season, but he has been climbing steadily since claiming the first four titles of his career this summer.

Del Potro, who is 30-2 since the start of July, also reached the U.S. Open quarterfinals and came into this hardcourt event fresh off an appearance in the Tokyo championship last weekend.

The beneficiary of del Potro's setback was unseeded German Philipp Kohlschreiber, who moved into the quarterfinals via the walkover victory.

Eighth-seeded Frenchman Gael Monfils also is through to the quarters after posting a 6-4, 6-3 win over Czech Radek Stepanek.

The 22-year-old has reached three semifinals this year, including his impressive run at the French Open, but has yet to reach a championship in 2008.

The top of the draw has been decimated by upsets, leaving a quartet of unseeded players to battle it out.

Austria's Jurgen Melzer topped former No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, on Thursday to set up a quarterfinal match with Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, a 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 winner over lucky loser Santiago Giraldo.

The other quarterfinal in the top half will pit German qualifier Philipp Petzschner, who ousted top seed Stanislas Wawrinka in the opening round, against Spain's Carlos Moya.

First prize is just over $187,000.