Nadal and Djokovic make progress

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:22

Spaniard Nadal, 22, breezed past Germany’s Michael Berrer 6-2 6-1 in just 67 minutes and will face Dmitry Tursunov for a place in the quarter-finals after the Russian edged past American qualifier Michael Russell 7-6 (7/5) 4-6 6-3.

Despite connecting on just 48% of his first serve, the Australian Open champion did not face a break of serve and was able to convert five of 14 chances of his own to advance.

Third seeded Serbian Djokovic, meanwhile, secured a 7-5 6-4 victory over unseeded Martin Vassallo Arguello of Argentina to set up a third round meeting with Tommy Haas, who beat Rainer Schuettler 6-7 (4/7) 6-2 6-4.

Dubai champion Djokovic, 21, did have his serve broken on two occasions, but grabbed four of his own in the one hour and 44 minute contest.

Last year’s beaten finalist Mardy Fish lost 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (7/1) to Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, but sixth seed Juan Martin Del Potro recovered from dropping the first set to American wildcard Ryan Sweeting to prevail 6-7 (6/8) 6-3 6-1. He will next face Austrian Jurgen Melzer, who beat American wildcard Taylor Dent 7-5 6-2.

Seventh seeded American Andy Roddick also advanced after recording a 6-1 7-6 (7-3) triumph over qualifier Daniel Koellerer.

While seeds David Ferrer, David Nalbandian, Stanislas Wawrinka, and Nicolas Kiefer progressed, world number nine Gael Monfils lost 6-7 (5/7) 6-1 6-4 to American wildcard John Isner, the world number 147.

Isner did not face a break point and broke Monfils three times to wrap up the win in just under two hours.

American Sam Querrey advanced in straight sets at the expense of 18th seed Radek Stepanek, while Tomas Berdych also lost in two to Viktor Troicki, who will next face Nalbandian.

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