Almagro survives match point in Sweden

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BASTAD, Sweden, July 12 (UPI) -- Former champion Nicolas Almagro rallied from a slow start Thursday to defeat Ivo Minar in the second round of the Swedish Open.

Almagro saved a match point in the second set before downing Minar 1-6, 7-6 (10-8), 6-4. It was Minar's first appearance of the year in an ATP event.

Daniel Gimeno-Traver set up a quarterfinal meeting with Almagro by defeating qualifier Alessandro Giannessi 6-4, 6-3.

Also advancing Thursday were No. 3 seed Albert Ramos, who defeated Evgeny Korolev 6-3, 6-3, and sixth-seeded Grigor Dimitrov, who was a 6-3, 6-4 winner over Frederico Gil.

David Ferrer, ranked fifth in the world, will play Friday's highlight quarterfinal match against Tommy Robredo.

Robredo is a two-time winner of this tournament and has recently returned from a lengthy absence due to injury.