Seeds flourish in Ohio

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:45

Federer was off colour in the opening set, which he lost 3-6, but was soon back to his best to recover and win the next two sets 6-3 6-4, thus maintaining the Swiss’ 100% record against his opponent.

Reigning champion Andy Murray, who is ranked third in the tournament, enjoyed a less taxing workout against Radek Stepanek, who succumbed 6-4 6-1 to the new world number two.

Murray now faces Frenchman Julien Benneteau tomorrow, after the latter edged Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 4-6 6-4 7-6(4).

Federer’s last-eight opponent is Leyton Hewitt who took three sets to see off American Sam Querrey.

The Australian, unseeded but looking in good touch, dominated the first set, which he took 6-1, before picking up just two games in an unsuccessful second.

Hewitt was back on form in the decider, though, with a 6-3 win enough to take the tie.

Number two seed Rafael Nadal produced a functional performance to oust Paul-Henri Mathieu.

The Spaniard took a 7-5 6-2 win to book a meeting with Czech Tomas Berdych, who saw off qualifier Chris Guccione 6-4 6-3 in little more than an hour.

The fourth quarter-final clash pits ninth seed Gilles Simon, of France, against fourth seed Novak Djokovic.

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