MMMM 2006 : 2006


(Daily Review) Federer beats computer as Nadal also advances

Roger Federer fought off a challenge by inspired Swede Robin Soderling, earning a 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (10-8) win Thursday into the quarter-finals of the Madrid Masters in a match decided by an appeal to a computer.

Popular holder Rafael Nadal easily advanced over German Tommy Haas, 6-4, 6-3. The second seed thrilled another sellout crowd, paying particular tribute to his serving on the night.

"I'm very happy with my serve. It went well today. I'm confident with it," Nadal said. "I'm pleased with all the aspects of my game. It's all going well."

Federer, playing in the event for the first time since 2003, insisted that even though a Hawk-eye ruling confirmed his match point, he still does not endorse the system, which he feels detracts from the game.

"I don't know if it's going to make a difference on the score in the end," said the 79-5 top seed.

"Without Hawk-eye, I would have broken him in the first set because (a previous) call would have stood. I would have won the first set probably easier. It turned out to be a crazy end. I thought it was really funny, especially waiting like this for the match point."

Federer only achieved the victory - in which he fired 13 aces and struck 32 winners - after a successful appeal showed that Soderling's final shot landed wide instead of good, as called by the linesman.

The Swiss next takes aim at American Robby Ginepri, who beat Spain's seventh-seeded Tommy Robredo 6-3, 7-6 (7-3), in a win also decided by instant replay.

Robredo, contending for a place in next month's Masters Cup, missed his chance to launch past provisional sixth-placed James Blake, who lost Wednesday.

Federer stands 2-0 over Ginepri, beating him for the last time in 2005.

"He's a tough player, especially indoors. He serves pretty well and returns aggressive," Federer said. "I have to make sure I play another good match and serve well. If you serve well here, it really pays off."

Masters Cup hopeful Andy Roddick lost ground in the qualification chase and could miss the rest of the regular season after hurting his right ankle.

Roddick, provisional fourth in the race to next month's eight-man season-ender in China, limped through to a 7-6 (9-7), 6-3 losing conclusion against Czech Tomas Berdych, with the ankle problem arising in the second set.

Chile's Fernando Gonzales, lingering on distant 12th position for Shanghai, advanced without firing a shot when huge-hitting Swede Joachim Johansson pulled out before their match with a sore throat.

Roddick said that his ankle now throws his playing schedule in doubt, hinting that he might leave Europe to heal.

"I'm in pretty good qualifying shape (for Shanghai). I'm pretty close to confirmed," said the American. "The priority right now is to get the ankle healthy. I'm not totally sure what the upside is to trying to play on a bum ankle. We're just going to have to play it day-to-day."

Croatian Ivan Ljubicic, last year's losing finalist to Nadal and loser in this year's second round, has pulled out of next week's tournament in Lyon with a viral infection in his throat.

His qualification for Shanghai remains in the balance, with it likely to come down to the Paris Masters starting October 30.

Marat Safin won a day match after two late nights on court, as he finally claimed an easy win with a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Belgian Kristof Vliegen.

Serb Novak Djokovic came from a set and a break down to overtake Andy Murray, sending the Scot to a 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 loss.

Murray joined compatriot Tim Henman on the outs, after the Briton lost to David Nalbandian 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 after serving for the match.



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