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 ATP World No. 1 and two-time former champion Roger Federer advanced at the Sony Ericsson Open on Monday, when his Swedish opponent Robin Soderling retired due to an illness midway through the second set of their third round match.
As a result Federer improves his perfect record to 15-0 against Swedes. The last time Federer lost to a Swedish player was against Thomas Enqvist in March 2002 in the third round of the Pacific Life Open, an ATP Masters Series event, in Indian Wells, California.
Federer, who captured the 2005 (d. Nadal) and 2006 (d. Ljubicic) titles, now has a 29-7 record in Miami. The Swiss is looking to capture his first title since clinching his fourth Tennis Masters Cup crown in November last year.
"I think you're always most vulnerable as a high seed, and then once you get on the roll you start playing better and better," said Federer afterwards. "That's really what I'm hoping for now [in the] next couple of rounds. The draw is not too bad. It could have been Hewitt or Robredo, and now all of a sudden it's two unseeded players."
(Watch ATP Masters Series TV: Federer interview)
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Federer will next play last month's Buenos Aires finalist Jose Acasuso of Argentina, who hit seven aces to knock out Dudi Sela of Israel 6-4, 6-4 in 87 minutes. Federer has beaten the 25-year-old Acaususo twice in his career at the 2003 US Open and 2005 ATP Masters Series Cincinnati.
World No. 4 Nikolay Davydenko (pictured) reached the fourth round for only the second time in seven visits to Crandon Park Tennis Center. The Russian fought back to beat Italian Simone Bolelli 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-1 in two hours and 38 minutes.
Despite creating eight break points Bolelli, currently No. 55 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, was unable to covert any of the opportunities and hit 66 unforced errors in the pair's first career meeting.
Davydenko will next play Croatian wild card Mario Ancic, who needed two hours and 40 minutes to defeat Argentine No. 18 seed Juan Monaco 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-1.
Julien Benneteau avenged his defeat at The Championships, Wimbledon, in July 2007 by beating 12th-seeded French compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 6-3 in 89 minutes. Benneteau saved all four break points he faced and won 70 per cent of service points. (Watch ATP Masters Series TV: Benneteau interview)
Sunday: Nadal Returns to 4th Rd.; Canas, Mathieu, Andreev Advance
Sunday: Blake Outlasts Santoro; Berdych Advances Easily
Saturday: Federer, Roddick Win Openers; Murray, Hewitt Fall
Saturday: Tsonga Wins in Miami Debut; Seed Exodus Continues
Friday: Qualifier Anderson Upsets Defending Champ Djokovic
Friday: Nadal Advances to Third Round
Thursday: Monfils Rallies to Defeat Isner
Thursday: Reynolds Upsets Safin; Russian Struggles Continue
Wednesday: Querrey Advances Along With Teenagers Cilic, del Potro
Wednesday: Fans Favorite Kuerten Falls in Opener
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