Federer and Nadal through
Federer and Nadal through
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Monday, 03, Jul 2006 10:48
The top two seeds in the men's draw at Wimbledon have made it through to the last eight after straight-set wins.
World number one and three-time defending champion Roger Federer is through after a 6-3 6-3 6-4 victory over 13th seed Tomas Berdych on Centre Court.
Meanwhile, second seed Nadal was forced to work a little harder but came through 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 against Irakli Labadze of Georgia on Court One.
In blazing sunshine, the Swiss player made light work of his Czech opponent.
Berdych is one of the few players to have beaten Federer in the last two years but he was completely outclassed as Federer wrapped up the match in under an hour-and-a-half.
Despite the ease of the victory and perhaps ominously for the rest of the field, Federer said that he hasn't reach top gear yet.
"I cannot say it was my best match as the first two rounds were better but I knew from the first second I was through and just had to wait for the break to come," Federer said.
"I thought I was the better player, but I have been tested."
The top seed will now play Croatia's Mario Ancic, after the number eight seed came through a five-setter with Novak Djokovic.
The world number ten was knocked out in the fourth round last year but he went one better this time as he took the match 6-4 4-6 4-6 7-5 6-3 after three hours and 24 minutes on Court Two.
Nadal, meanwhile, reached the furthest he has ever made at the All England Club after surviving a scare in the second set.
Having taken the first set, the Spaniard fell a break down before coming through on a tie-break and wrapping up the third set with ease.
World number nine Lleyton Hewitt will play conqueror of Andy Murray, Marcos Baghdatis, after coming through a tough match with Spain's David Ferrer.
The 2002 champion beat the 23rd seed 6-4 6-4 4-6 7-5.
Finland's Jarkko Nieminen is also through to the last eight after a marathon encounter with Russian Dmitry Tursunov.
The 22nd seed survived two match points in the fourth set to take the match 7-5 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 6-7 (6-8) 9-7.