SYDNEY (AP) – Defending champion Juan Martin del Potro was beaten in the quarterfinals of the Sydney International on Thursday, losing 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) to Kazakhstan qualifier Mikhail Kukushkin.
Del Potro, the 2009 U.S. Open champion returning from an 11-month injury layoff, needed a wild-card entry to get into the main draw because his world ranking had dropped to 338.
“I got lucky playing three matches in this tournament against good players,” del Potro said. “I’m here, I’m still alive. I feel tired, but OK.”
Kukushkin will next play Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer, who beat Julien Benneteau of France 6-3, 7-6 (4).
Wimbledon champion and second-seeded Petra Kvitova beat Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria 7-5, 6-1 to advance to the women’s singles final. Kvitova will play Karolina Pliskova, who beat Germany’s Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-2.