BANGKOK, Sept 25: Carlos Moya saved a set point on his way to an unconvincing 7-5 6-4 win over American Brian Vahaly to reach the quarterfinals of the Thailand Open on Thursday.

Vahaly, who beat world number one and French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero at Indian Wells in March, rallied well and took an early lead against the third-seeded Spaniard.

But Moya immediately broke back in the third game and Vahaly had to fight off three break points at 2-2.

With Moya looking flat, a careless volley offered Vahaly a break point to lead 5-3, but the Spaniard held off that threat with a smash.

The 24-year-old American held a set point at 5-4, but netted a return and Moya then broke to lead 6-5. A break for 1-0 on his fourth break point gave Moya a lead in the second set, and that was enough to settle the match.

In an all-Croatian battle, sixth seed Ivan Ljubicic defeated Mario Ancic 6-1 6-4, winning the last five games of the first set and breaking to lead 5-4 in the second after Ancic failed to convert four game points.

Results:

Second Round: Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) bt Mario Ancic (CRO) 6-1, 6-4; Gregory Carraz (FRA) bt Alexander Popp (GER) 7-5, 6-2; Nicolas Thomann (FRA) bt Joanthan Erlich (ISR) 6-4, 6-0; Carlos Moya (SPA) bt Brian Vahaly (USA) 7-5, 6-4; Jarkko Nienimen (FIN) bt Bohdan Ulihrach (CZE) 6-4, 6-2; Taylor Dent (USA) bt Thierry Ascione (FRA) 6-1, 6-2

Shanghai ATP Results

Second Round: Guillermo Canas (ARG) bt Eric Taino (USA) 6-7 (1/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3); Scott Draper (AUS) bt Martin Verkerk (NED x2) 6-7 (4/7), 1-0 retired; Wayne Arthurs (AUS) bt Takao Suzuki (JPN) 6-2, 6-2; Robin Soderling (SWE) bt Justin Gimelstob (USA) 6-4, 6-4; Mark Philippoussis (AUS) bt Jeff Salzentstein (USA) 6-1, 7-5; Ivo Karlovic (CRO) bt Nicolas Kiefer (GER) 6-1, 7-6 (7-5).—Reuters