CHENNAI, India (AFP) - Defending champion Xavier Malisse and fourth-seed Mikhail Youzhny set up a quarter-final clash in the ATP Chennai Open with contrasting wins here on Wednesday.
Belgian Malisse, who won the season-opening 436,000-dollar event in his maiden appearance last year, downed sixth seed Jurgen Melzer of Austria 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 in the second round.
Russian Youzhny conjured up a great performance against a fighting Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France to clinch a 7-5, 1-6, 6-2 win at the Nungambakkam Tennis Stadium.
The winner between Malisse and Youzhny is expected to make the final from the lower half of the draw after the shock exit of second seed Marcos Baghdatis on Tuesday.
World number two and top seed Rafael Nadal of Spain is favoured to make the final from the top half.
"I look forward to playing the quarter-final," said Malisse, who is unseeded after dropping to number 112 in the last season due to a right wrist injury.
"Mikhail is a good player, but I am very happy the way I have started this year. I am very pleased at the way I won today because I served and returned well."
Youzhny, the world number 19, trailed 0-5 at the start before winning the next seven games - four of them to love - to take the first set.
Roger-Vasselin, ranked 97th in the world, did not lose heart and romped through the second set, dropping just one game against the erratic Youzhny.
Youzhny, however, dominated the third set to squeeze through to the next round.
"It was a bit up and down for me today," said the Russian. "But I am happy that after the shaky start I was able to come back and win the first set.
"I did not play well in the second set at all, maybe it was because the season has just started and I am trying to get some form.
"But in the end I am glad to be in the quarter-finals. I will improve, I have to."
Frenchman Florent Serra also moved into the last eight with a hard-fought 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3) win over Kristof Vliegen of Belgium.
Serra's quarter-final opponent will be veteran Spaniard and former world number one Carlos Moya, who beat qualifier Alexandre Kudryavtsev of Russia in three sets.
