Former champions David Ferrer and Andy Murray boosted their bids to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour finals, with second-round victories at the Valencia Open 500.
Ferrer swept past fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-2 to record his 50th match win of the season and 30th at this ATP World Tour 500 event. The top seed is currently eyeing a fourth Valencia trophy, having lifted the crown in 2008, 2010 and 2012. Ferrer is currently 10th in the Emirates ATP Race To London, and can add points to his overall tally by reaching the Valencia semi-finals.
Only three of eight spots remain up for grabs.
Meanwhile, third seed Murray continued his fight for a London berth with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Fabio Fognini. Murray is aiming to qualify for the season finale for the seventh year in a row and is currently No. 8 in the year-to-date standings.
Pablo Andujar set an all-Spanish quarter-final with Tommy Robredo after dismissing Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-2 in 70 minutes. Meanwhile, Jeremy Chardy battled to a 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-5 victory over Alexandr Dolgopolov, to earn a quarter-final match-up with Pablo Carreno Busta.
Qualifier Thomaz Bellucci advanced to a quarter-final clash with Ferrer after sixth seed Roberto Bautista Agut withdrew from their match due to abdominal pain.
Valencia Open Men’s Singles Round 2
Thomaz Bellucci (Brazil) beat 6-Roberto Bautista (Spain) walkover
1-David Ferrer (Spain) beat Fernando Verdasco (Spain) 6-3 6-2
Jeremy Chardy (France) beat Alexandr Dolgopolov (Ukraine) 3-6 7-6(4) 7-5
3-Andy Murray (Britain) beat Fabio Fognini (Italy) 6-2 6-4
Pablo Andujar (Spain) beat Dusan Lajovic (Serbia) 6-3 6-2
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