Compiled from wire reports Surprising Takao Suzuki upset sixth-seeded Michael Chang of the United States in straight sets Thursday to become the first Japanese male player in 13 years to advance to the quarterfinals of the AIG Japan Open.
Suzuki battled through five deuces in a fiercely contested final game of the second set to secure a 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 win at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo and become the first Japanese player since Shuzo Matsuoka in 1988 to reach the final eight.
"I think I was thinking too much about Michael Chang's past achievements," Suzuki said after beating Chang, currently ranked 76th on the ATP Champions Race.