Friday, 16 May, 2008

Defending champion Roger Federer advanced to the quarter-finals of the Hamburg Masters with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Sweden's Robin Soderling on Thursday.

Federer extended his winning streak in the north German city to 19 matches and has claimed the championship in four of the past six years.

The world number one, who skipped the 2006 edition of the tournament, has won 27 of his last 28 matches here since 2002.

Rafael Nadal, the second seed, also advanced to the round of eight after defeating 15th-seeded Andy Murray 6-3 6-2.

Third seed Novak Djokovic, who could overtake Nadal as the world number two if things go in his favour this week, reached the quarters with a 7-6 (7/3) 6-3 victory over unseeded Ivo Karlovic.

The reigning Australian Open champion will face Albert Montanes, a 6-2 6-1 winner over Janko Tipsarevic.

There was no shortage of upsets on Thursday as three seeded players tumbled out of the draw, including fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko.

The Russian number one was beaten by Germany's Nicolas Kiefer, who received plenty of support from the partisan crowd during his 7-5 6-3 victory. His win set up an unlikely quarter-final match with unseeded Italian Andreas Seppi, who shocked 12th-seeded Juan Monaco 6-0 6-3 earlier in the day.

In another surprise, Spaniard Fernando Verdasco continued a strong tournament by ousting countryman and fifth seed David Ferrer 7-6 (7/4) 6-2.

Verdasco, who will face Federer in the quarters, also upset 10th seed Mikhail Youzhny in the opening round.

Murray takes comfort from defeat
Williams pulls out
Federer through to last eight
Davis Cup tie at Wimbledon
Sharapova to replace Henin at the top
Bartoli joins Eastbourne field
Henin announces retirement
Gasquet doubt for Roland Garros