Pablo Cuevas produced a workmanlike performance to stun former champion Stan Wawrinka 6-4 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals.
In a match where two one handed backhanders would meet in a stunning contest, it was the Uruguayan who would grab the early initiative as Wawrinka hit the backhand into the net and gave Cuevas 2-1 lead. The calm and collected South American was providing Wawrinka with something to think about as he was shaping his forehand and backhand across the court to test Wawrinka’s movement. His footwork was sharp as he started to move forward and use his brilliant doubles IQ to great success as he would force unforced errors from his opponent and seal the first set 6-4.
Wawrinka would need a major turnaround in the second set to overcome a cool Pablo Cuevas. However he wasn’t helped by another break of serve by Cuevas in the first game of the second set to lead 1-0. On serve, Cuevas was efficient and effective dictating play from his first serve and moving the Swiss about. A workmanlike performance at the net as well as he used serve and volley to shorten the points up. Wawrinka barely holding his serve, tried to apply pressure on Cuevas. However it wasn’t to be for Wawrinka as a forehand up the line sealed a 6-4 6-4 victory in an hour and 16 minutes.
A really good performance from the Uruguayan who blew Wawrinka off the court and showed good tennis IQ to advance to the quarterfinals in Monte Carlo. However for Wawrinka it’s another disappointment at a masters event, despite his final in Indian Wells.
Pablo Cuevas, who has now reached his second masters quarterfinal of the season, will now play Lucas Pouille who lead 3-0 against Jo-Wilfred Tsonga’s conqueror Adrian Mannarino, before Mannarino retired to what appeared to be a back injury.
Marin Cilic also made the last eight after a 6-2 7-6(0) victory over Tomas Berdych. The Croatian produced a magnificent performance to outsmart Berdych. The win is Cilic’s biggest win of 2017. He will now play Albert Ramos-Viñolas in the quarterfinals. Today’s results mean one of Ramos-Viñolas, Cilic, Pouille or Cuevas will reach the final in Monaco.
