Gonzalez makes BMW Open quarterfinals

MUNICH, Germany, May 1 (UPI) -- No. 2-seeded Fernando Gonzalez, despite a shaky start, escaped the upset trend that marked Thursday's second-round play at the BMW Open in Germany.

Gonzalez managed to win just one game in the first set but came back for a 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over Kristof Vliegen and earned a berth in Friday's quarterfinals. Awaiting Gonzalez is Marat Safin, who also was pushed to a third set before defeating Michael Berrer 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (5-7), 6-3.

Fourth-seeded Igor Andreev and No. 7-seeded Steve Darcis were both ousted Thursday. Andreev was strong early but faded in a 1-6, 6-0, 6-4 match with Juan Martin Del Potro while Younes El Aynaoui took out Darcis 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

Del Potro and El Aynaoui are matched against each other in a quarterfinal Friday. The other quarters have top-seeded Paul-Henri Mathieu playing No. 8-seeded Marin Cilic and Lee Hyung-taik going against Simone Bolelli.