Friday, 9 May, 2008

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic avoided becoming the latest upset victims at the Rome Masters as they overcame early struggles on Thursday to win their respective third-round matches.

World number one Federer shook off a slow start to post a 7-6 (7/4) 6-3 victory over Ivo Karlovic of Croatia, while Djokovic battled the oppressive heat and some sluggish play to overcome unseeded Russian Igor Andreev 6-3 3-6 6-3.

Fourth-seeded Nikolay Davydenko, however, was denied a place in the quarter-finals by 14th-seeded Tommy Robredo, who rallied for a 4-6 6-2 7-6 (7/4) victory.

Davydenko joined second seed Rafael Nadal, the three-time defending winner of this tournament, as high seeds who made early exits.

Federer's next opponent is Czech Radek Stepanek, who also moved on to the quarters thanks to a 6-4 1-6 6-3 win over Luis Horna.

Reigning Australian Open champion Djokovic next will take on unseeded Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, who reached the last-eight when 12th seed Fernando Gonzalez withdrew due to a right leg injury.

On the other side of the draw, sixth-seeded Andy Roddick powered past Italian Simone Bolelli 7-6 (7/5) 6-3.

Roddick finished with eight aces and converted three breaks to set up a quarterfinal clash with Robredo, who fired six aces and capitalised on Davydenko's five double-faults.

Roddick was joined in the quarters by fellow American and eighth seed James Blake, who rallied for a 5-7 7-5,6-2 victory over Fernando Verdasco.

Federer and Djokovic through
Safina sees off Serena
Aussie duo to play in Hopman Cup
Murray and Mirnyi crash out
Ex-Wimbledon champs set for Eastbourne
Murray bows out