German qualifier Zverev beats Fognini at Valencia Open

VALENCIA, Spain (AP) German qualifier Mischa Zverev advanced to the quarterfinals of the Valencia Open by beating fourth-seeded Fabio Fognini 6-2, 7-6 (3)

VALENCIA, Spain (AP) German qualifier Mischa Zverev advanced to the quarterfinals of the Valencia Open by beating fourth-seeded Fabio Fognini 6-2, 7-6 (3) Thursday.

Zverev, who was treated for a leg injury in the second set, took advantage of a series of unforced errors in the first set to take the lead.

''On this surface, the serve is really important and I served badly today,'' Fognini said. ''And with my forehand I was doing nothing, making a lot of mistakes.''

Another German qualifier, Daniel Brands, also reached the quarterfinals. Brands beat Albert Montanes 6-2, 6-2. Montanes entered the tournament after top-seeded David Ferrer withdrew with an elbow injury.