FILIPINO Davis Cupper Patrick John Tierro shocked third seed Manuel Jorquera of Italy, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, yesterday and entered the quarterfinals of the India Association of Tennis Professionals/International Tennis Federation Satellite Circuit.

Tierro, who beat local bet Vardhan Vishnu in the first round, was cruising to victory at 3-1 and 40-0 in the fifth game of the second set when the Italian, ranked No. 600 in the world, regained his touch from the baseline.

But Tierro kept his composure, breaking Joguera's serve at 2-all then won the last four games. He closed the match with a service winner.

Tierro, who has already qualified to next week's $25,000 New Delhi Masters reserved for the Circuit's top 24 earners, will try to make the semis against another Italian ace and fifth seed Federico Torresi.

Playing brilliantly, Torresi showed the door to top seed and world No. 373 Alexey Kedriouk of Kazhakstan, 6-4, 7-5.

Tierro credited his victory on his serves and technical training. Supported by Philta, Tierro is playing under the sponsorship of sportsman Jean Henri Lhuillier of the Lhuillier Group of Companies for the last two years.

“My serve has become better and more dependable now. I also improved my backhand returns,” said Tierro in an overseas call. “Now I could attack more and not get tired. My weeks of technical training in Subic and the plyometric program helped me add more dimensions to my game. I'm having more fun playing now.”

Tierro is expected to see action in 25 international events this year.