Defending champion Roger Federer continued his near flawless run at Roland Garros as he defeated Stanislas Wawrinka 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-2 in an all-Swiss fourth-round clash Sunday in Paris.In a repeat of the 2009 final, Federer will face fifth seed Robin Soderling in the quarter-finals. Federer takes a perfect 12-0 record into the clash with Soderling, having since defeated the right-hander in the fourth round at Wimbledon and the US Open quarter-finals. Should the 28-year-old Federer once again get the better of his Swedish opponent, he will extend his own record of consecutive Grand Slam semi-final appearances by reaching his 24th.
"Obviously I think he's taken advantage of the better ranking he's had since the last year here," said Federer, looking ahead to the clash. "We have experience playing against each other. I've never lost against him, so obviously that's a good record to have. But because of the improvements he's made, he's an opponent not to underestimate. Obviously he beat incredible players on the way to make the finals here last year, so clay seems to also become really his surface of preference, as well."
Soderling said: "It's a quarter-final of a Grand Slam, and I have to play either one of the top four guys. Of course it's tough to play against Roger, but they are all tough matches. I hope for a good match. It's always fun to play against him.
"I remember a few times I played against him when I came pretty close, especially one in Halle a couple years ago when I served and returned really well. I think that's what you have to do against him, because of course he's the best player in the world. But even against him you will always get a few chances. Then you have to take them, because he won't give you any second opportunities. You really have to play well in the important points, which he does so well, and that's why he's so good."
Soderling jumped for joy and punched the air in celebration after completing a comprehensive 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 victory over No. 10 seed Marin Cilic of Croatia in just one hour and 41 minutes.
The 25-year-old Soderling dropped serve in the third game of the first set, before winning four straight games for a 5-2 lead. Cilic, at 4-5, dropped his serve to 15 to gift Soderling the 30-minute opener.
Czech Tomas Berdych, the No. 15 seed, knocked out fourth seed Andy Murray of Scotland 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 in their rain-interrupted clash at Roland Garros on Sunday, which finished in fading light at 9:34 p.m. local time. Berdych will next meet No. 11 seed Mikhail Youzhny of Russia in the quarter-finals.
Murray saved six break points, before Berdych finally broke serve in the seventh game when Murray hit a backhand into the net. He went on to clinch the 31-minute opener with a drop shot winner.
The 24-year-old Berdych took a 2-0 lead in the second set, before Murray responded by winning three straight games. Light rain began to fall in the seventh game, which Murray won with a forehand winner and two aces for a 4-3 lead before conditions became unplayable at 8:03 p.m. local time.
Just as the tarpaulin covers settled on Court Suzanne Lenglen, the rain shower stopped and the duo was able to begin play 36 minutes later. At 5-5, Murray fell to 15/40 and Berdych hit a backhand crosscourt winner off a second serve to clinch the break. Berdych took a two-sets-to-love lead with a service hold to 15.
With the light fading, Murray dropped to 30/40 at 3-3 with his third double fault of the match. The Scot miss-timed a forehand and Berdych won the next two games for victory in two hours and 16 minutes.
Berdych, who is yet to lose a set in the French capital this year, is riding a seven-match winning streak. A runner-up to Andy Roddick at the Sony Ericsson Open, an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament in Miami, the Czech improved to a 29-10 match record on the season.
French male hopes came to an end on Sunday at Roland Garros as No. 8 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was forced to retire with a back injury after losing the first set 6-2 to Youzhny.
The 27-year-old Youzhny is through to the Roland Garros quarter-finals for the first time and will contest his first Grand Slam quarter-final since reaching the last eight at the 2008 Australian Open (l. to Tsonga).
Sunday, 30 May 2010
Singles - Fourth Round
[1] R Federer (SUI) d [20] S Wawrinka (SUI) 63 76(5) 62
[15] T Berdych (CZE) d [4] A Murray (GBR) 64 75 63
[5] R Soderling (SWE) d [10] M Cilic (CRO) 64 64 62
[11] M Youzhny (RUS) d [8] J Tsonga (FRA) 62 ret. (back)
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