The last time del Potro won consecutive matches on clay was at the 2012 French Open.
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But the erratic Brown could not hold serve while trying to even the set. “I tried to be focused today and I think I played a great match”.
He moves on to face fourth seed Philipp Kohlschreiber who defeated fellow German Florian Mayer in straight sets.
“I’m very happy to win my first match in three years on clay”, Del Potro said.
“I feel better. I am starting to hit my topspin backhand, which is what I need on this surface”. Ivan Dodig of Croatia beat sixth-seeded Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 in another second-round match.
“I’m really looking forward to facing Thiem”, Zverev told atpworldtour.com.
Zverev, 19, produced an impressive service display and needed just the one break in each set to beat the Czech 6-3 6-4.
Earlier, second-seeded Gaël Monfils pulled out of the event with a groin injury sustained in practice.
In Morocco, top-seeded Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland beat fifth-seeded Timea Babos of Hungary 6-4, 7-5 Friday to reach the Grand Prix SAR final, where she will face qualifier Marina Erakovic of New Zealand. The Frenchman had a bye into the second round.
He beat Victor Estrella Burgos 6-2 in the third set and tomorrow will play an intriguing encounter against Alexander Zverev, who won against Lukas Rosol 6-3 6-4.
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A solitary break in the first game was enough to put Kohlschreiber in front and the German duly reeled off six games in succession to triumph 6-4 6-1.
