Thu Oct 9 16:42:51 2008

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Nalbandian, Ancic move into Stockholm QFs

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Stockholm, Sweden (Sports Network) - Top-seeded Argentine David Nalbandian and second-seeded Croat Mario Ancic were among Thursday's second-round victors at the $980,000 Stockholm Open.

Nalbandian whipped Swedish wild card Joachim Johansson 6-3, 6-2, while Ancic got past capable Belgian Steve Darcis 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 on the indoor hardcourt at Royal Tennis Hall. The 6-foot-6, 26-year-old Johansson returned to the ATP this week after retiring from tennis back in February because of nagging right shoulder problems.

Fourth-seeded Swede Robin Soderling subdued Argentine lucky-loser Juan Monaco 6-3, 6-3 to excite the home crowd.

Meanwhile, third-seeded Finn Jarkko Nieminen edged out pesky Frenchman Arnaud Clement 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 and seventh-seeded Spaniard Albert Montanes came from behind to best Swiss qualifier George Bastl 1-6, 6-3, 6-2. Nieminen was the runner-up here in 2001 and 2006.

One other second-rounder saw rising Japanese teenager and wild card Kei Nishikori get past Slovakian Dominik Hrbaty 6-1, 1-6, 7-5.

Friday's quarterfinals will pit Nalbandian against Montanes, Ancic versus Nishikori, Nieminen against Spaniard Oscar Hernandez and Soderling versus fifth-seeded German Rainer Schuettler.