Roger Federer beat Russia's Mikhail Youzhny 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday to set up a French Open quarter-final clash with Tommy Robredo.
PARIS: Top seed Roger Federer took another step towards a historic Grand Slam when he defeated Russia's Mikhail Youzhny 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday to set up a French Open quarter-final clash with Tommy Robredo.
Federer overcame a lacklustre start against Youzhny before going on to claim his 10th win in 10 meetings with the Russian. "It was tough today but I stayed calm and I was happy to get through," said the world number one.
Federer, seeking to win a first Roland Garros title, suffered a bad start being broken in the first game. But he hit back to level at 3-3 before dominating the ensuing tiebreak.
He wrapped up the opener after 55 minutes on a subdued Court Philippe Chatrier when Youzhny knocked a backhand return wide. Federer broke the 24-year-old Russian in the first game of the second set and went on to serve two love games to stretch his lead to 5-3 and take the set 6-4 when Youzhny hit a forehand long.
Federer was ahead again in the first game of the third set but the dogged Youzhny hit back immediately.
However, the crucial moment came when the Russian failed to capitalise on three break points in the fourth game and Federer made him pay by eventually nipping ahead to 4-3.
Youzhny was determined to make Federer work for his victory, forcing his opponent to rely on a third match point before making sure of his last eight place after 2hr and 25min on court.
Federer will start as overwhelming favourite to beat ninth seed Robredo, who put out Italy's Filippo Volandri in straight sets.
He has won all seven times the two have met with the Spainard only managing to take one set off the Swiss and that was five years ago in Vienna.
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