Juan Monaco ousts Benoit Paire to enter quarter-finals

Juan Monaco of Argentina returns to France’s Benoit Paire in a men’s singles match in Houston on Wednesday. Monaco won 6-3, 7-5. (Photo: AP)

Argentina’s Juan Monaco ousted second-seeded Benoit Paire of France 6-3, 7-5 on Wednesday to reach the quarter-finals of the ATP clay court tournament in Houston.

Monaco, the 2012 champion in Houston, notched a second straight tour-level win for the first time since Nice 13 months ago.

He saved 10 of 12 break points he faced and improved to 3-1 against Paire, the world number 22. The 32-year-old Monaco booked a quarterfinal clash with fifth-seeded American Sam Querrey, a 6-3, 6-3 winner over Germany’s Benjamin Becker.

Querrey belted 13 aces and saved the only two break points he faced to overcome Becker in just 50 minutes.

Querrey faces a tough matchup against Monaco — he has never beaten the Argentinian in three prior meetings on clay.

Top-seeded American John Isner advanced on cue, defeating American Denis Kudla 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/4). Isner next faces Chung Hyeon, who rallied for a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 victory over US wildcard Tommy Paul.