Djokovic, Stepanek reach last eight in Rotterdam

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Feb 22 (Reuters) Fifth seed Novak Djokovic was forced to battle for over two hours before defeating Andrei Pavel 6-7 6-1 6-3 in the second round of the World Indoor Tournament in Rotterdam.

Djokovic fought back from an early break in the opening set to take a 5-3 lead in the tiebreak but Pavel rallied to take it 10-8 yesterday.

The Serbian was in unforgiving mood in the next two sets, allowing the Romanian qualifier just four games.

Defending champion Radek Stepanek, seeded eight, put out fellow Czech Jan Hernych 6-2 7-5 while sixth seed David Ferrer of Spain cruised through 6-2 6-4 against Belgian Kristof Vliegen.

Dutchman Martin Verkerk's comeback to the ATP tour after a 2 1/2 year absence ended with a 6-3 7-6 defeat by South African Rik de Voest.

The 2003 French Open finalist has twice undergone shoulder surgery.

''It feels good to be back, though I know I still have a long way to go,'' Verkerk told reporters.

''But where I stand right now is only after six weeks of training so I'm hopeful.'' Frenchman Gilles Simon, who won his first tournament last week in Marseille, conceded his match to German Philipp Kohlschreiber when trailing 3-6 1-3. Simon pulled out with a muscle injury.

Reuters AY DB1008