Federer dispatches awkward Vacek for grass win No.56
Roger Federer survived an “awkward” match against Jan Vacek to reach the quarter-finals of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle yesterday and post his 56th straight win on grass.
Roger Federer, who won 7-5, 6-3, didn’t have it all his own way against the world No.342. “It was difficult,” Federer said afterwards. “When it happens you can’t play your game and it isn’t working, then it’s a surprise. It was an awkward sort of match.”
Federer’s winning streak on grass includes 22 at Halle, dating back to 2003. He has won four titles there, each time before going on to win Wimbledon. Vacek, in contrast, has just one win on the ATP tour this season and normally plays on the lower-level Challenger Tour.
In other matches, No.5 seed Marcos Baghdatis beat French veteran Fabrice Santoro 6-4 6-3, while Nicolas Kiefer sent No.4 seed Mikhail Youzhny crashing out 6-2 5-7 6-3.
France’s Michael Llodra also reached the quarter-finals after beating Steve Darcis of Belgium 7-6(6) 7-6(3).
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