Former champion Gilles Simon will look to set up a potential semi-final with Andy Murray when he takes on Matthias Bachinger in Friday's Thailand Open quarter-finals.
Simon won the Bangkok title back in 2009 and he's a serious contender again this year particularly with the form he's shown on all surfaces this season. However he came very close to crashing out in round two, needing nearly three hours to see off Yen-Hsun Lu 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-4 in his opening match.
"To play for three hours at this intensity was really hard," Simon said. "He played really well. He wasn't missing, serving hard and returning well. I really had the impression that I had to play to my maximum on every point for a chance to win. I am lucky to have won this match. I am very happy."
He'll be hoping for an easier ride against Bachinger who won back-to-back matches for the first time in his career on Wednesday, disappointing the home fans by dispatching Danai Udomchoke 7-6(5), 6-3.
Prediction: Simon in two.
