Federer and Djokovic through to Rome Masters quarter-finals
Roger Federer could meet Novak Djokovic in semis
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Thursday, 08, May 2008 09:17
Top seeds Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic both came through tough matches to reach the quarter-finals of the Rome Masters Series event.
Federer won a tight tie-break against the big-serving Ivo Karlovic and eventually prevailed in straight sets 7-6 (7-4), 6-3.
The world number one wasted five break point opportunities in the first set and also had a set point at 6-5 on the Karlovic serve, but he could not convert that either. He was a mini-break down early in the tie-break but hit back to win it 7-4.
It got easier for Federer in the second set as he managed to break the serve of the 6ft 10inch Karlovic to lead 4-2. The Swiss star then broke again to take the set and match 6-3.
"It's difficult to judge against him. Ivo has an unbelievable serve, probably the best we have in the game," Federer said.
"And he comes to the net too, so there's always a lot of pressure," added the Swiss star, who will face Radek Stepanek in the next round.
World number three Novak Djokovic dropped a set against Igor Andreev, but managed to dig deep and come through 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
Djokovic, who suffered from dizziness and retired from his match against Federer at the Monte Carlo Masters last week, again didn't look physically in top condition.
"I didn't know what to expect from my physical condition and I'm very happy. I'm a little bit tired but not as much in the last few weeks and recent matches," said Djokovic, who faces Nicolas Almagro in the next round.