Mikhail Youzhny fought past America's Mardy Fish to make the quarterfinals of the $1.7 million Dubai Open on Wednesday.
The Russian took an easy first set but was forced to take the second in a tiebreak to prevail 6-2, 7-6 (0), setting up a quarterfinal against Swiss second seed Roger Federer or Fernando Lopez of Spain.
Youzhny, Russia's top player ranked 34 in the world, walked into the second round after first-round opponent Richard Gasquet retired through injury with Youzhny leading 6-3.
Youzhny won the Zagreb Open earlier this month for his first career title since the St. Petersburg Open in 2010.