It seemed that two Frenchmen will meet in the quarterfinals of the Vegeta Croatia Open, but Spaniard Albert Montanes ruined this plan. He sent away top seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet, winning by 6:4, 6:4, even though he lost all five previous matches against him on major events.

"I knew it would be tough. I did not play since Wimbledon due to injury. Conditions here do not suit my game, it is very humid. Montanes played recently in Stuttgart and Gstaad while I lost my momentum on clay. I fought hard, broke back in the second set and got 4:3 lead, but it was not enough. I am very disappointed, this tournament is excellent and very well organized. I will be back next year", Gasquet said.

About goals for 2013 he added:

"I want to stay in Top 10 and get my form back. It means, I have to play much better than here."

Montanes now improved to 6-32 career against Top 10 players and this was his first win against one of players from world elite since he stunned Roger Federer in Estoril in 2010. He will play against another Frenchman in the quarterfinals on Friday - it will be Gael Monfils, who defeated Slovenian qualifyer Blaz Kavcic on fully-packed Grandstand by 6:3, 6:1. Kavcic led 3:2 but won only one more game until the end of the match.

"I enjoy here in Umag, everything is nice. Stadium is great, people are great, beaches are nice… And above all this I play good tennis. Don't ask me about two Frenchmen in the quarterfinals, I did my part of jub to make it happen. I am aware that it will be very tough match for me. Montanes is very tough opponent, he defeated me twice this year. It is not easy to explain why he plays so good against me. He likes my style of play, he somehow feels my game. I hope I will find the right path this time", Monfils said.

Another quarterfinal pairing will be clash between Italian Fabio Fognini, who recorded 11th consecutive victory by defeating Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker 7:5, 6:3, and Slovakian Martin Klizan, who beat Argentinean Leonardo Mayer by 3:6, 6:1, 7:6 (3).