Bulgarian star Grigor Dimitrov is right on track with his title defense as he defeated Teymuraz Gabashvili of Russia in straight sets 7-5 7(7)-6(4) to advance to the quarterfinals at the If Stockholm Open in Sweden on Wednesday.

This is Dimitrov's maiden ATP World Tour Crown, defeating then top seed David Ferrer in last year's finals.

Like Us on Facebook

The second seeded Dimitrov dished out six service aces, converted all three break points and 63 percent of his first serves to capture the first set.

The second set was closer as both players broke each other's serves once before going into a tie-break where the 23-year-old edged out Gabashvili 7-4.

The Bulgarian will face the winner of the matchup between sixth seeded Jeremy Chardy of France and American Jack Sock.

Dimitrov still has an outside chance of making it into the season-ending WTA World Tour Finals this coming November. He is currently in 11^th place in the eight-man short list, 210 points behind Britain's No. 1 Andy Murray and 300 points behind eight-placer Canadian star Milos Raonic.

If the Bulgarian successfully defends his title, he will get 250 points and if he reaches the finals of the Swiss Indoors in Basel, he will be awarded 300 points. That would be enough for him to enter the prestigious event in London if the others fail to make it far in their respective tournaments.

Third seeded Kevin Anderson was not as fortunate in his opening matchup in Sweden as he was defeated by Australian Bernard Tomic in straight sets 6(4)-7(7) 4-6.

Even though the 28-year-old South African delivered 15 service aces and won 73 percent of his first serves, Anderson was not able to break the Australian while Tomic broke him once in the second set.

Tomic, 21, will now face seventh seeded Fernando Verdasco of Spain who won his second round match against Finnish Jarkko Nieminen in two straight sets 6-3 6-4.

TagsGrigor Dimitrov, andy murray, Milos Raonic