4th-seeded Cuevas beats Kovalik to reach European Open QF

ANTWERP, Belgium (AP) Fourth-seeded Pablo Cuevas beat Slovak qualifier Jozef Kovalik 6-4, 7-6 (4) to reach the European Open quarterfinals on Wednesday.

The Uruguayan had 11 aces, and broke Kovalik once in each set in their second-round match.

In first-round action, fifth-seeded Gilles Simon of France beat another qualifier, Germany's Yannick Maden, 6-3, 6-2. Simon, a losing semifinalist to Andy Murray at the Shanghai Masters last weekend, was ruthless in converting five of six break-point chances.

Third-seeded Richard Gasquet played his second-round match against Spaniard Inigo Cervantes later Wednesday.