Montreal: Federer survives Ferrer

Roger Federer moved on in an increasingly wide-open draw at the Coupe Rogers in Montreal – but only just.

The No.2 seed overcame an inspired David Ferrer 4-6 6-4 6-2, completing victory against the former No.3 in just under two hours.

It is the first time Federer has dropped a set since losing to Tommy Haas in the second round in Stuttgart in early June.

Federer points to court speed in on-court interview, says was difficult to control ball. But stayed offensive, hit fh winner for second set.

— Kamakshi Tandon (@Kamakshi_Tandon) August 10, 2017

Federer saying in addition that crowd maybe expecting 'magic to happen,' which created 'extra pressure' for him.

— Kamakshi Tandon (@Kamakshi_Tandon) August 10, 2017

The victory moves him into the quarterfinals where he will meet No.12 seed Roberto Bautista Agut – the only other seeded player remaining in the bottom half of the draw.

Bautista Agut saved a match point to beat Gael Monfils 4-6 7-6(5) 7-6(2).

ROSEWALL: Federer “a nice bet” for 20 Slams

“I actually feel really happy because I know I can play a lot better. David can play a lot better, too,” Federer said.

“We battled, both tried to find a way to win. You know, he had a good start, I had a better finish.

“I hope that this match gives me some better rhythm and confidence against Bautista Agut, who plays actually very similar to David.”

Potential Federer draw to Montréal final
R2 Polansky
R3 Ferrer
QF Bautista Agut
SF Haase/Schwartzman

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 10, 2017

Federer was seeded to meet No.7 seed Grigor Dimitrov in the semifinals – after the removal of third seed Dominic Thiem in the second round – until the Bulgarian lost in three sets to Robin Haase on Thursday.

Also moving into the quarterfinals of the Canadian Masters 1000 event was Kevin Anderson (a straight-sets winner over Sam Querrey) and Diego Schwartzman, who was bagelled in the first set by Jared Donaldson before coming back to win 0-6 7-5 7-5.

A player restoring some semblance of order to the draw was Alexander Zverev.

In an early evening match on Thursday, the fourth-seeded German beat Aussie Nick Kyrgios for the first time, winning 6-4 6-3 to set up a meeting with Kevin Anderson.

“I’m happy to be through,” Zverev said. “Obviously against him, it’s not easy because he’s one of the biggest servers that we have. He plays with not a lot of rhythm.”