Janko Tipsarevic looks to book his place in the quarter-finals of the St Petersburg Open when he takes on Michael Berrer on Thursday.
Tipsarevic produced some sublime tennis to win the title in Moscow last week and he's the tournament favourite this week on a very similar surface in St Petersburg, particularly after the exit of top seed Gilles Simon.
Tipsarevic is seeded second and he eased past Olivier Rochus 6-2, 7-5 in round one, albeit with a bit of a second set wobble. Tipsarevic was cruising to victory at 6-2, 5-2 and served for the match twice but by his own admission, became a little cocky and Rochus levelled before the Serb eventually closed it out.
"The match was really tough, especially toward the end," Tipsarevic said. "I came here with a great deal of confidence. I was playing so well that I think I got a little bit arrogant, thinking that I do not have to work for my points. Olivier Rochus is one of the worst players to play against if your serve is not put in too well."
Berrer took out defending champion Mikhail Kukushkin 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, although it was not a particularly surprising result as Kukushkin is having a dire season and has not won back to back matches since May.
Prediction: Tipsarevic in two.
