Top-seeded Nalbandian advances in Stockholm

Oct 10, 2008 - 7:55 PM STOCKHOLM, Sweden (Ticker) -- David Nalbandian had little trouble reaching the semifinals of the Stockholm Open on Friday.

The top-seeded Argentine needed just 63 minutes to dispatch of Spanish seventh seed Alberto Montanes, 6-4, 6-1, in one of four quarterfinal matches slated at the hardcourt event.

Nalbandian, who crushed Swiss qualifier Joachim Johansson, 6-3, 6-2, in the second round, remains a strong favorite here considering he is the only top-30 player in the field.

The world No. 7 will attempt to stay on course for his ninth career title when he faces No. 3 Jarko Nieminen in the semifinals.

A two-time finalist, Nieminen of Finland also is through to the round of four following a 6-1, 6-4 win Friday over Spaniard Oscar Hernandez.

Second-seeded Mario Ancic, a former world No. 7 currently ranked 31st, did not move a step closer to his first title since since 2006, withdrawing prior to the match with Japanese wild card Kei Nishikori due to acute bronchitis with fever.

The 18-year-old Nishikori, who upset No. 8 Marcel Granollers in the opening round, has advanced to an ATP semifinal for the first since his remarkable title run at Delray Beach in February.

Nishikori upset top-seeded James Blake in the final of that event, becoming the first Japanese player since 1992 to win on tour. The world No. 77 after starting the year 289th, Nishikori will be facing Ancic for the first time.

Fourth seed Robin Soderling defeated German fifth seed Rainer Schuettler 6-2, 7-5 in Friday's other quarterfinal, setting up a match with Nishikori.

First prize is $156,000.