By ALLON SINAI
Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich got their Masters Cup qualification campaign back on track late Wednesday night, defeating Eric Butorac and Andre Sa 7-5, 7-5 to reach the quarterfinals of the Lyon Grand Prix tournament.
The Israelis, who are currently seventh in the ATP's double's race, need to finish among the world's top eight to qualify for the season ending Masters Cup in China for a second straight season.
Ram and Erlich, who faced Mardy Fish and Jaroslav Levinsky in the last eight late Thursday night, only have a slender 20 point lead over Nenad Zimonjic and Fabrice Santoro, who are ranked No. 9 in the race, and will need to do well in the next couple of weeks to book their place in China.
Earlier Thursday, Harel Levy advanced to the quarterfinals of the Challenger event in Seoul, defeating Kyu Tae Im 6-4, 7-6 (9).
Levy (198) faced Ivo Minar (161) early Friday morning and could face Dudi Sela (92) in the semifinals, as the two are in the same half of the draw. Sela, who is seeded No.4 in Korea, played Daniel Koellerer (154) early Friday, after crushing Danai Udomchoke 6-1, 6-2 in the second round.
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