Thursday, 15 May, 2008

Top seed Roger Federer advanced to the third round of the ATP Masters Series in Hamburg on Wednesday with a 6-1 6-3 victory over Finland's Jarkko Nieminen.

The defending champion, Federer has won this event four of the past six years - and his win over Nieminen ran his winning streak here to 18 matches.

"I think I had a good start," said Federer, who dropped just 12 points in the first set. "I am happy with my serve and the way I played from the baseline."

He added: "(Nieminen) is a tough player, even though I have a good success rate against him. He can cause difficulties."

Federer needed just 58 minutes to run his career record against Nieminen to 9-0 and book a third-round meeting with Robin Soderling, who upset Australian Open finalist and number 14 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 6-2 7-5.

Rafael Nadal, playing for the first time since a rare claycourt loss, also advanced to the third round via a 6-4 7-6 (8/6) win over Potito Starace of Italy.

Last week in Rome, the Spaniard - bothered by a nasty blister on his right foot - lost for just the second time in 105 matches on clay as countryman Juan Carlos Ferrero pulled off a 7-5 6-1 upset.

Third seed Novak Djokovic made it a perfect day for the world's top three players, claiming a 6-3 6-1 win in his second-round clash with Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina.

But it was a rough day for 2006 champion and 13th seed Tommy Robredo, who was ousted by Ivo Karlovic 3-6 6-2 7-6 (7/3).

Janko Tipsarevic claimed a 4-6 6-3 6-3 win over seventh seed James Blake and Marat Safin downed number nine seed Tomas Berdych 7-5 6-4 in the day's other surprises. Also through to the third round are 11th-ranked Carlos Moya, 12th seed Juan Monaco, number 15 seed Andy Murray, Nicolas Kiefer and Albert Montanes.

Davis Cup tie at Wimbledon
Henin announces retirement
Murray marches on
Federer advances in Hamburg
Gasquet doubt for Roland Garros
Ivanovic stunned in Rome